Getting a perfectly straight smile with Invisalign takes time, usually twelve months or so. During that year, some type of emergency is bound to strike. You might set your aligner down for one second and then lose it. You may accidentally sit on or drop them and suddenly they’re cracked or broken. Will they still work? Do you need to call your emergency dentist in Carrollton? Read on to find out what to do in an Invisalign emergency, and how to prevent them in the first place.
Lost Aligner
Since you have to take your aligners out to eat and drink, it’s fairly common to set them down somewhere and misplace them. Because of this, there really isn’t that much need to worry. If you can’t find your aligners, wear the most recent set in the meantime. Call your dentist in Carrollton and let them know of the situation. If you were close enough to moving on the next set anyway, they may advise you to do just that.
Damaged Tray
A cracked tray is likely not that big a deal. However, be extra careful when inserting and removing your aligner so as not to make the crack spread. If you’re concerned, use the previous set of aligners until it’s time for you to move on. Only do so after you have called your dentist or orthodontist and gotten their permission.
If your aligners have broken, they should definitely not be worn. Do NOT try and use glue or any kind of adhesive to repair the tray on your own, as it may not work correctly and could do more harm than good. In addition, the majority of these chemicals are toxic. Call your dentist immediately if you break a tray. They will advise you to wear either the previous or the next set of aligners, depending on how far you were into the set.
How to Keep Your Aligners from Breaking
To minimize the risk of losing or damaging your aligners, follow these tips:
- Don’t remove the trays the same way every time. This varies the place where stress is placed so it doesn’t crack in that area.
- Remove your trays before eating.
- When you’re not wearing your aligners, place them in the proper tray case so you don’t misplace them.
Invisalign is a great way to straighten your smile, but only if you take proper care of the trays during your treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Afshin Azmoodeh has been practicing comprehensive dentistry in Carrollton, TX since he graduated from Texas A&M College of Dentistry nearly 20 years ago. He is a certified Invisalign provider so he can help you achieve a beautifully straight smile. To learn more, contact Dr. A here or at (972)-820-7294.