{"id":413,"date":"2021-10-21T18:37:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T18:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dgdental.com\/blog\/?p=413"},"modified":"2021-11-04T18:39:27","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T18:39:27","slug":"what-to-do-when-you-lose-an-invisalign-aligner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dgdental.com\/blog\/what-to-do-when-you-lose-an-invisalign-aligner\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do When You Lose an Invisalign Aligner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Before going to work, you take your Invisalign aligners out and set them down on the kitchen countertop while eating breakfast. After all, you\u2019re just having a quick meal, so there\u2019s no harm in leaving them out for a few minutes \u2013 right? Wrong. Once you\u2019re done, you realize you\u2019re somehow missing an aligner. You might start panicking if you\u2019re unsure of what to do next. Luckily, we\u2019ve got you covered! Here are some steps you should take after losing a tray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Advance Early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you lost an Invisalign<\/a> aligner, you might be tempted to keep it a secret from your orthodontist to avoid a stern lesson. Therefore, you may choose to advance to the next phase of treatment. Well, since your trays are designed to shift your teeth gradually, advancing too early can actually hinder your treatment plan. Your best course of action is to contact your orthodontist, let them know about your situation, and ask what they recommend. If you were almost at the end of the previous phase, they might suggest you try the next set of aligners to see if they fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact Your Orthodontist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you afraid to tell your orthodontist you lost your Invisalign aligner? You shouldn\u2019t be! Many patients find themselves in this predicament, so you\u2019re certainly not the first (or last) person to ask your orthodontist for help. It may surprise you to learn that the cost of treatment usually includes two built-in replacement trays. That means your orthodontist can easily replace the aligner you\u2019ve lost without any additional charges or fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Act Quickly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Losing an Invisalign aligner is not a dire situation, so don\u2019t stress about it too much. However, you also want to avoid waiting too long to report the loss to your orthodontist. It\u2019s best to let them know as soon as possible so they can order a replacement quickly. That way, your treatment will only get set back a week or two rather than several months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Avoid Losing an Aligner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best way to avoid losing your aligners is by protecting them at all costs. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can prevent this unfortunate situation. Here are a few tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n