If your child has lost their Invisalign aligners, don’t panic—it’s more common than you might think! As a parent, you might feel like the world’s falling apart when something like this happens, but trust me, it’s not the end of the world. I’m Dr. J, and today, I’m here to guide you through simple steps you can take to get your child’s Invisalign treatment back on track. Whether it’s one aligner or a whole set, I’ve got you covered.
Invisalign Trays come in Boxes
When we deliver Invisalign trays to our awesome patients they come in boxes of about 15 stages or sets (as you have one upper and one lower usually – making a set).
Scenario #1: Lost One Aligner? No Problem!
First things first: losing one aligner—it happens! Whether it slipped under the couch cushions, or got lost on the way to soccer practice, it’s something we can easily handle.
Here’s what to do:
- Find out which aligner is missing. Ask your child, “Which number did you lose?”
- Do you have the next one?
If your child lost aligner #5 but still has #6, then just move to the next aligner and continue as usual.
Even if they wore #5 for less than the usual 7 days, that’s okay—the next one will feel a bit tighter, but it will still work.
Remember, don’t stress! Keep moving forward. The worst thing you can do is stop and delay treatment. Stay on track!
Scenario #2: Lost Multiple Aligners? Here’s What You Do
Okay, now let’s talk about multiple lost aligners—maybe they’re at camp, on vacation, or maybe, they just got tossed in the chaos of a busy week. It’s not a huge deal, and here’s how we fix it:
- Check how many aligners were lost.
- Do they have the next one?
For example, let’s say your child lost aligners #5, #6, and #7, but they still have #8—no big deal!
Here’s what to do:
Have them start wearing #8 and wear it for two weeks instead of just one. After that, return to the usual one-week wear schedule and continue with #9.
Aligners might feel a little tight at first, but that’s normal. It’s still doing its job. So, again: move forward—your child will catch up in no time!
Scenario #3: Lost All Aligners?! Don’t Panic!
I know this one sounds scary—what if your child lost all the future aligners, including the one they’re currently wearing? Maybe they’re missing aligners #5 to #30—yikes!
ut don’t worry, we’ve got a simple fix. Here’s what you do:
- Find out which aligners you still have.
- What to do next?
If your child lost #5 to #30, just go back to the last aligner they wore (say, #4), wear it for another week, and then come see us for a new scan to make a new set of aligners.
And the best part? There’s no extra cost for the scan or for replacing the lost aligners when treated with Invisalign First! We’ve got you covered.
All the scenarios – and then some!
Life happens—and that’s why we’re always here to help, even when things get chaotic. Whether your child has lost, damaged, or even ruined their aligners (yes, we’ve seen some wild cases!), we’ve got your back. Here are a few examples of what we’ve helped parents through:
- Dog chewed on them (A super common one!)
- Run over by a car (Ouch, but yes, it happens.)
- Left in the sun on your car dash (100°F heat is not a friend to Invisalign!)
- Microwaved (yes, you read that right)
- The classic case: wrapped in a napkin at lunch and never seen again.
A Few Simple Tips to Avoid Future Issues
Tip #1: After you wear an aligner for a week, don’t throw it away. You might never need it again, but it can make for a great Christmas ornament if you want to get creative!
Tip #2: If the aligners aren’t in your child’s mouth, they should always be in the case. No exceptions! If you keep losing cases, no worries—we’ve got a never-to-be-lost-in-a-snowstorm, Stellar Smiles Ortho Orange Case for you. (You’ll never lose it again!)
Virtual Support: Always Here for You
And, of course, we offer virtual visits where you can send us pictures or videos of how the aligners are fitting. This way, we can help you get back on track quickly—no office visit needed. Plus, in our office, we never charge for lost Invisalign aligners when treated with Invisalign First.
Considering Invisalign First? Act Now!
I struggled for years as an Orthodontist with the old way of fixing bites. Why? Because I knew of the importance of interceptive treatment between ages 6-9 but the discomfort and failure rate were so high! That’s why I have been so blessed with this new method and it’s my mission to share with you – the parents.
If you’re watching this because you’re thinking about starting Invisalign First for your child, you’re in the perfect spot! Children between the ages of 6-9 are in the “golden window” for addressing bite and jaw issues—this is the ideal time to get started with Invisalign First.
It’s non-invasive, comfortable, and avoids the need for more painful traditional treatments. But time is of the essence! Once your child turns NINE, their jawbone starts to harden, and that’s when treatments can become more difficult, painful, and in some cases, require surgery or extractions.
So, if you’re ready to start your child’s journey toward a better smile, click the link in the description to schedule a free consultation with me.
https://www.stellarsmilesortho.com/lp/free-consult/.
Let’s make sure your child’s smile is on the right track—and do it with as little stress as possible.
Closing Thoughts
Remember, losing an aligner doesn’t mean you’re starting over—it just means taking a little detour. With these simple steps, your child’s smile will stay on track.
I’m Dr. J, and I’m here to help make your child’s orthodontic experience as stress-free and smooth as possible. Let’s get that smile on track together!
Want to see and hear more?
For a more interactive experience, check out the live YouTube version of this blog, where we dive deeper into the topic and share expert insights. Watch the full video!
“A quick note to leave you with: The moment you pray, the creator of the universe goes to work. It may not happen on your timeline or turn out the way you thought it would—but He is faithful. Keep praying, and trust the process!”
