what are Invisalign Attachments?

[Ghita]

I have been doing some research on Invisalign because I would like my crowded teeth straightened. I have read that in some cases you may have to use Invisalign attachments on the teeth.

Can you tell me what attachments are and how they will affect me when I am wearing my invisalign trays.

[Dr Ehsan J. Esfahani]

Hi Ghita

Some patient's Invisalign treatment will require the use of "attachments." Attachments are small tooth-colored dots of dental bonding material that are bonded to selected surfaces of selected teeth. The idea is that the placement of the attachments provides an anchor point on teeth around which an Invisalign aligner can firmly grasp. This allows the aligner to direct its forces to the tooth more effectively than it would otherwise be able to do.

When your aligners are not being worn you may find that your attachments are a little rough to your tongue or cheeks. With time, however, your mouth should adjust to their presence. The fit of your clear braces over your attachments can be quite snug. This can make removing your aligners a little difficult. When you eat you may find that food tends to get stuck to or accumulates around your attachments.

The visibility of you attachments will depend on where they are placed and how well the color of the bonding material chosen for them matches the color of your teeth. In those cases where attachments are placed on teeth or tooth surfaces that are relatively difficult for others to see, appearance issues will not be a factor.

Invisalign attachments can come off. The nature of the bond of the attachment to the tooth is quite strong but, from time to time, some patients may find that they have one come off. Certainly the more snugly the aligner fits over the attachment the more likely this is to happen. Each of your attachments have been placed for a reason and if you have one come off you should let your dentist know immediately so they can make a decision about replacing it.