Manchester clear braces such as Invisalign have revolutionised the way we think about orthodontic treatment. No longer do patients have to wear a mouthful of metal if they choose not to. Instead clear braces offers Manchester patients a discreet aligner style brace system that they can take in and out as and when they choose. However because clear braces Manchester such as Invisalign are made from a clear strong medical grade thermoplastic, they become very hard to spot when put down on a surface like a kitchen worktop. As a result they can easily get mislaid.
The issue is that Invisalign treatment works by using a series of braces rather than one. Each aligner moves the teeth to a certain position before the next one in the series takes over. As a result it’s imperative that they are worn in order. For obvious reasons the entire treatment will become problematic if you happen to lose one. So if this does occur what should you do?
Firstly don’t panic. As a precautionary measure it’s always best to keep your previous aligner. The reason is that you should always have something on your teeth. If you don’t wear anything for a period of time your teeth may be inclined to drift and all the hard work carried out this far will be undone. By keeping the previous aligner you’ll always have something to fall back on to avoid further movement.
The second step is to contact your dental practice right away. They will give you advice. You won’t be the first to have lost a retainer and you won’t be the last, so be honest and tell them what has happened. Whether you left it somewhere, accidentally put it in the washing machine, or the dog chewed it, they’ve probably heard it all before.
The first thing they’ll ask is “Have you been wearing the lost aligner and if so, how long for?” If you’ve worn it for a week or more, then it could be a case of simply moving onto the next one in the series.
If however you’ve only been wearing your Manchester clear braces for a day or two, or not at all, then the practice will need to order you another one from Invisalign. Patients should note that if this is the case, there will be a replacement or remake fee as this is a service that the company charges for.
Finally if you’ve lost your retainer (the device that’s worn after your clear braces Manchester treatment) then again, contact the practice immediately. They will put plans in place to fit you with another one. If your teeth don’t have anything to hold them in place, you run the risk of having your teeth move again, so speed is of the essence.
If you really want to avoid the hassle of losing an aligner here’s a top tip…
Always make sure that you take your aligner case with you everywhere you go. This way when you’re eating you can avoid the fatal mistake of wrapping it in a napkin and then forgetting it’s there, only to throw the napkin plus the contents inside away.
Remember, while clear braces offers Manchester patients the chance to have straighter teeth without all the conventional brackets and wiring that other braces do, they only work if you mind your aligners.
To find out more about Manchester clear braces, or about how we can help you restore your smile contact us today on 0161 660 1218. Our highly experienced orthodontic team have a wide range of clear braces Manchester to suit your needs and budget so come and talk to Dr Shi Karim and the team at our Church Road Dental Practice.
