INVISALIGN ATTACHMENTS
What are Invisalign Attachments?
Invisalign attachments are the small, tooth-colored dental pieces that affix to certain teeth during an invisible braces treatment. They are very effective in teeth movement, by acting as grips for the Invisalign or clear aligners to hold onto. The aligners fit tightly over the attachments (also known as buttons), which helps to hold them in place to slowly and gently move the patient’s teeth into their correct positions.
These Invisalign attachments come in different shapes and sizes, each one designed for a specific type of movement or particular grip. An Invisalign orthodontist will choose which shape and size will be suitable for the movement of each tooth.
Invisalign attachments provide the most effective support for the Invisalign treatment, resulting in restoration of occlusion and achievement of beautiful, healthy, long-lasting smiles.
Who is the candidate for Invisalign Attachments?
It depends on the specifics of the individual case and dental diagnoses. There are some malocclusions that can’t be treated even with the help of Invisalign such as severe misalignment. Not every malocclusion case requires attachments – some simpler and mild cases may not need them for the aligners to move the teeth properly.
During the consultation with an orthodontist, he will design an appropriate treatment plan and determine whether someone will need attachments or not.
Can Someone Decline Attachments?
Yes, some individuals can decline Invisalign attachments. Even after skipping the attachment, the Invisalign will still work, it just may take longer period and be slightly less effective.
If one is interested in Invisalign treatment without attachments, he/she must ask an orthodontist if this will work for their specific condition and how long the treatment might take.
How Does an Invisalign Attachments Work?
Before one receives the first set of Invisalign aligner trays, an orthodontist will do attachment bonding. This means that during the procedure they will affix the attachments to a few of the patient’s teeth using dental bonding glue.
They will remain in place during the whole duration of Invisalign therapy, and each pair of Invisalign aligners will be specially designed to fit over them, giving the aligners the grip necessary tp to safely and effectively move the teeth into place.
Each set of aligners slowly adjusts the teeth and moves them a little more towards their correct positions.
When the whole procedure is completed and the ideal smile is achieved, the orthodontist will remove these attachments. These attachments will not leave any harm or permanent damage to the teeth. But make sure to brush and floss regularly to avoid any kind of staining or discoloration.
Do Invisalign Attachments Hurt?
Invisalign attachments are pain-free. In order to put them on, an orthodontist will use a safe, biocompatible, non-toxic dental adhesive glue. It is designed to keep the attachments on for as long as the treatment lasts without causing any damage to teeth or mucosa. After some time this glue will be dissolved easily and painlessly when the treatment is finished, without any lasting impact of staining on teeth.
How Are Invisalign Attachments Removed?
When the whole treatment is completed, the orthodontist will remove the Invisalign attachments in a simple process. They use a special kind of tool to remove most of the dental composite materials that kept the attachment on the patient’s tooth.