For some Invisalign patients, there is more to their treatment than just wearing clear trays and changing them out every two weeks. Invisalign attachments are often necessary to help the trays snap into place and securely hug the teeth for adequate movement. Attachments are temporary, but it’s important to know what to expect from these enamel-colored dots and how they affect your treatment.

1. They are tooth-colored.

Attachments are tooth-colored and made of composite resin or dental bonding, so they blend in with your smile, but they do make your Invisalign treatment a little more visible. Even though your trays are clear and carefully designed to fit around the attachments, the trays will have bumps that accommodate the attachments.

2. They come in various shapes and sizes.

You could have attachments on your teeth in a host of shapes and sizes, from circles to squares to triangles. You may have one attachment or a dozen. They may be attached in a line or be haphazardly bonded to your teeth. Every patient’s need for this kind of assistance will vary depending on how complex your alignment needs are.

3. People can see the attachments.

When you remove your trays for meals, snacks, and cleanings, the attachments will be noticeable on your teeth and it may feel odd to run your tongue over them. They won’t be noticeable like the brackets of traditional braces though.

4. You will probably have attachments.

Unless your misalignment is very minor, there is a very good chance that you’ll be wearing dots on your teeth during your Invisalign treatment to help your teeth move into order.

5. You must keep them clean.

Attachments are shaded to match your tooth enamel, so you want to keep those bumps carefully cleaned so they don’t stick out more than necessary. It’s important to brush and floss thoroughly so bacteria and food particles don’t accumulate around the attachments and cause discoloration or decay.

6. Each attachment is strategically positioned.

The positioning of the attachments may seem arbitrary – a square on a front tooth, a triangle on a molar, and so on – but their locations are strategic. The goal is to give the trays a better grip in certain areas so the adequate amount of force can be applied to shift tooth roots and crowns.

7. Removing and inserting your trays will be a little difficult.

Attachments are designed to make your trays fit more securely, plus you need to fit the trays in perfectly, so they clasp onto the attachments in all the right places. This can make the removal and insertion of Invisalign aligners a little trickier and time-consuming.

8. Attachments are temporary.

When your Invisalign treatment is complete, your orthodontist will buff the composite dots off of your teeth completely and there will be no sign that they were ever there.

Are You a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign is an in-depth alignment method that makes straight smiles possible for people who never thought they could achieve one. Attachments are just one way to make this treatment work better. If you’re interested in Invisalign and wonder if you’re a good candidate for this treatment, contact Dr. Roberts or Dr. de Marsche at Philadelphia Orthodontists in Center City to schedule a consultation.