During your clear aligner treatment, there are times when you’ll need to remove your appliances, such as when cleaning them or eating a meal. With the importance of your 20-22-hour wear time, the last thing you want is to accidentally lose your trays. Even if you do, no worries! Here’s what to keep in mind if you’ve lost your clear aligners, and tips on how to prevent this from happening.
Next Steps If You’ve Lost a Clear Aligner
The first thing to do is to try your best to find your orthodontic trays. Try retracing your steps since the time you removed them, and be sure to look everywhere that you’ve been near or touched. Even if you think it’s unlikely to be in certain places, or you could have possibly thrown it away by accident, don’t hesitate to search as thoroughly as possible. This can ensure that you’ve literally left no stone unturned.
If it turns out you aren’t able to locate your clear aligners, notify your dentist and discuss the situation. In some cases, they might help create a replacement. In the meantime, they may recommend that you go back to wearing your previous set of aligners to prevent your teeth from reverting to their original positions and ruining your progress. In other instances, you could potentially move on to your next series of trays.
Ways to Avoid Losing Your Clear Aligner
While accidents can happen at any time, there are steps you can take to significantly minimize your chances. Here are several tips for keeping your clear aligners present and safe:
- Don’t Remove Your Trays Needlessly: You should only take out your aligners before meals and when practicing oral hygiene. They should be in your mouth the rest of the time.
- Always Store Your Aligners in Their Case: Whenever you aren’t wearing your trays, only put them in their protective case so that you can’t accidentally miss them.
- Don’t Place Them Casually: It can be easy to lose or throw away your aligners if you place them on a table or napkin. That’s why it’s important to store them in their proper place/case.
Remember to stay calm if you do happen to misplace your clear trays. Simply call your dentist as soon as possible so that they can help you get back on track with your orthodontic process!
About the Author
Dr. Steve Cha graduated from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Having earned certifications from the American Orthodontic Society, he offers personalized CandidPro clear aligner treatment to help patients create a straighter smile. If you’re interested in orthodontic care, click here to learn more or give us a call today at 972-529-1800.