So you have invested in teeth straightening aligners from Invisalign and are on track for that dazzling smile you have always dreamed about. But you have lost your Invisalign retainer. Now what? Find out how to deal with a lost Invisalign tray here.
What To Do If You’ve Lost Your Invisalign Retainer?
First and foremost, if you lose your Invisalign retainer: don’t panic! “You’d be surprised how often this happens”, says Sudarsh Naidoo, Clinical Director at Ollie & Darsh. “It occurs more often than you think and is perfectly understandable. After all, we all lead busy lives. If we can forget where our car keys are every once in a while, we can certainly lose an Invisalign retainer. The key is how we deal with the situation and minimise its overall impact”.
Speaking of which, here are the key steps you should take if you have lost an Invisalign retainer:
Call Us Straight Away!
You should not be embarrassed about a lost Invisalign tray. As Sudarsh mentioned earlier, we are used to it. So the first thing you should do is give us a call to discuss the best course of action, including ordering a new retainer.
Use Your previous Retainer
Always keep your previous retainer just in case of such eventualities. We may recommend using this aligner during the time it takes to order your replacement aligner to ensure your teeth do not drift too far off course.
Don’t Move On To Your Next Retainer
You might be tempted to jump ahead to your next retainer. But unless we expressly recommend it, and you were about to transition to the next retainer anyway, advancing too early can negatively impact your treatment plan.
How Much Does An Invisalign Retainer Cost?
One of the first questions on many people’s lips is: “how much does it cost to replace an Invisalign retainer?” Thankfully, the overall cost of Invisalign includes two free replacements for lost Invisalign retainers. “So, while this isn’t an open invitation to misplace Invisalign retainers, we want to reassure our patients that all is not lost when it comes to a lost Invisalign tray,” says Sudarsh. “We can easily organise a replacement Invisalign retainer”.
How Long Do Invisalign Retainers Take To Make?
It typically takes 3-6 weeks for a new set of retainers to be made and delivered. Your dentist will send up-to-date digital impressions of your teeth to Invisalign for them to manufacture your new aligners using advanced 3D printing technology at their laboratories.
It takes this long because your retainers are custom-made to fit your teeth, and Invisalign manufactures thousands of aligners daily. Not to mention the shipping process involved. But your dentist will put a contingency plan in place to ensure your treatment plan is not overly affected.
How Often Should You Change Invisalign Retainers?
Invisalign retainers are usually changed every two weeks. This is because it takes a fortnight for your teeth to move into the desired position gradually. As part of your tailored treatment plan, each set of aligners is slightly different from the last to enable the correction process to take place. So, if you have managed to keep your previous set of aligners, a lost Invisalign retainer should only set you back a couple of weeks at the very worst.
How To Store Invisalign Retainers Safely?
Experts now believe it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit (not 21 days!), and the key is to be proactive and consistent. This is especially true if you are the forgetful type. So be mindful of how you treat your aligners. For example, carry a case to store your aligners if you take them out on the move. You could even have a home and away carry case (potentially in different colours) to ensure you always have a case when you need one.
When you are out and about, carrying an emergency dental kit can also be useful to maintain your oral hygiene routine wherever you go. This should include a toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, and dental brushes. When you are at home, keep your case in the same place (near the bathroom sink, for instance), so you always know where it is. Never wrap your aligners in a napkin because it could easily be mistaken for rubbish and end up in the bin. And remember to keep your previous fortnight’s aligners safe, just in case you ever lose your current ones.
Diamond Apex Invisalign Providers
If you have lost an Invisalign retainer, don’t worry. “We can order a replacement Invisalign retainer, which will have you back on track within just a few weeks,” says Sudarsh. But, of course, like most dental issues, prevention is always better than cure. “If you can establish a consistent routine from the start, such as using a case that you store in the same place, you are much more likely to avoid the inconvenience of a lost Invisalign retainer”.
Ollie & Darsh is a Diamond Apex Invisalign Provider, which means we represent the top 1% of Invisalign providers in Europe. So you can rest assured that your Invisalign treatment will be overseen by some of the industry’s most experienced practitioners. We also offer interest-free Invisalign finance to spread the cost of Invisalign and hold monthly open days (on the last Friday of every month), offering the chance to receive £1,000 off your treatment.
If you would like more information about Invisalign or to book an appointment, please contact us at 0151 236 6578.