How Do Invisalign Attachments Work?

Invisalign is a brand name of clear aligners which are used to straighten teeth and correct other oral problems such as teeth misalignment and bite issues. Gentle pressure is exerted on your teeth and jaw to shift teeth into their proper place. 

The transparent appearance of these aligners allows patients to correct teeth alignment problems without drawing attention to the fact that they are wearing oral devices. However, some patients with more severe malocclusions may need the additional use of attachments to assist the aligners with shifting their teeth in the proper direction.

Your Invisalign trays from our Sarasota office will need to be worn for 22 hours a day and you will wear a particular tray for about 2 weeks before getting a new set. Most people receive 20-24 total sets of Invisalign over a year. 

What Are Invisalign Attachments?

Attachments are shaped like little buttons and made of composite resin which is attached to your natural teeth. These attachments come in various shapes and sizes depending on the direction your tooth needs to move. 

These attachments give your aligners a better grip, acting as anchors to exert enough force onto the tooth and its root to shift in the right direction. The placement and shape of your attachments are strategically placed to achieve the desired result, such as straightening the teeth or correcting an overbite.

These attachments are an additional material that is applied to your tooth and while they match the natural color of your enamel, they still present as bumps on your teeth for the duration of your Invisalign treatment.

The use of attachments may be more noticeable when you have taken out your aligner trays to each or brush your teeth. It is also crucial that you thoroughly clean around the surface of your attachments to prevent the buildup of plaque and food particles.

Who Needs Invisalign Attachments?

Not everyone who wears Invisalign will need attachments. If you have minor teeth alignment problems, they may be able to be corrected with the Invisalign trays alone. However, for those with more severe teeth alignment and bite problems, the use of attachments helps promote certain movements. Other attachments such as elastics may also be used.

Certain teeth movements are harder to achieve without additional help that encourages the movement, such as:

• Rotating teeth
• Moving teeth above the gumline
• Teeth that are angled in particular directions
  

How Attachments Are Applied to the Teeth & Removal

Once your dentist has determined that attachments will be needed to achieve the desired results in straightening your teeth, the process unfolds like this:

• A gel will be applied to your teeth as an adhesive for the attachment to stick to
• Shortly after, this gel is removed and your teeth are rinsed
• A bonding agent is applied to your teeth
• A template aligner to place the attachments on your teeth with gentle pressure
• The attachment is cured & hardened using a light
• The template aligner is taken out
  

Benefits of Invisalign & Attachments

The biggest advantage of Invisalign over braces is that they are transparent and go unnoticed. This allows us to correct problems with your teeth without causing embarrassment or ruining photos for special occasions.

Invisalign also offers more lifestyle flexibility and convenience, because you can remove your aligner trays for up to 2 hours every day. This allows you to experience more freedom in what you can do and consume. 

You will have no restrictions on what you can eat or drink as long as you clean your teeth and aligners before putting them back on. You are also free to engage in physical activity and sports. The ability to remove your aligners allows you to maintain better oral hygiene because you can thoroughly clean your teeth where the metal wires in braces would prevent you from reaching.

Thanks to the advent of Invisalign attachments, these clear aligners are now able to correct more severe malocclusions that they were previously unable to. People with severely crooked or overcrowded teeth and under or overbites may previously have had to resort to braces for an extended period to address their dental problems. However, with the aid of attachments, these dental problems can now be fixed with clear Invisalign trays.

Interested in Invisalign? Contact Sarasota Bay Dental Today!

It is important to be in good oral health before being considered for Invisalign treatment. Certain dental problems may be too severe to be corrected with Invisalign or other clear aligners. The only way to know if you would be a suitable candidate for Invisalign is for Dr. Robert Miller to examine your teeth. Contact us at Sarasota Bay Dental today to book a consultation and find out if Invisalign is right for you.