Invisalign has become a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. The clear plastic trays are nearly invisible, and the time patients spend in Invisalign tends to be slightly shorter than with traditional braces. But there’s more to Invisalign than just the trays that slip over your teeth. One of the first steps to getting Invisalign is to get Invisalign attachments. What are these things, and how do they work?
Ohana Orthodontics is a proud Invisalign provider, and we know how much our patients love clear aligners. But they’re often surprised that Invisalign includes an installation process. That process includes adding Invisalign attachments to your teeth.
What Are Invisalign Attachments?
Invisalign attachments are small, tooth-colored dots that are put on the middle of a tooth to apply a little extra pressure. The attachments are made of a composite resin or a dental bonding material. They come in different shapes, which allow different amounts of pressure to be applied to the tooth.
Are the Invisalign attachments noticeable? The attachments are small and are made to blend in with your teeth, so they will be hard to see when you remove your Invisalign. They are applied to your teeth with a bonding agent to keep them in place throughout your Invisalign treatment. Not every patient will need attachments. The more complex your dental issues, the better the chance you will need these attachments.
What Are Invisalign Buttons?
Invisalign buttons are a type of attachment that is used to hold elastic bands. Rather than being bonded to your teeth, the buttons are usually on the Invisalign trays themselves. The rubber bands, or elastics, often stretch from the front of the mouth to the back. We may use them to apply extra pressure to a particular tooth to cause it to move more, or they may be used to help repair a crossbite.
Not every Invisalign patient uses buttons and elastics. We’ll be able to determine in your initial examination whether you may need buttons and elastics during your treatment.
Things to Know About Invisalign Attachments
Now that you know what Invisalign attachments are, you’re probably wondering how they will affect your treatment. In short, they’ll make your treatment more effective, they’ll make cleaning a bit more challenging, and they will come off once your treatment ends.
Attachment Shapes May Be Different
The attachments may be different shapes, but this is perfectly normal. You may get a wedge on one tooth and a square on another. The different shapes allow the Invisalign to apply different pressure to that tooth, moving it faster, slower, or in a different direction than the other teeth. This may be because you have a tooth that sits higher than the others or a more crooked tooth. The bottom line is don’t be surprised if the shapes don’t seem to match. There’s a method to the madness!
Aligners May Be More Snug
Your Invisalign trays may fit more snugly with the attachments because they’re designed to allow the trays to push more on that tooth. That means the surface of the Invisalign touches the surface of the attachment. That friction makes it a bit more challenging to insert and remove your Invisalign, but you’ll get the hang of it with some practice. The team at Ohana Orthodontics can coach you on the best way to insert and remove your trays.
Cleaning Invisalign Attachments
It is essential to keep your teeth and attachments clean throughout your treatment. The attachments may make cleaning a bit more challenging. You will need to be diligent when you brush, angling your toothbrush so that you brush all the way around the attachment. An electric toothbrush with a spinning head may help with this.
Some patients complain about how easily food gets stuck around the attachments, but this should encourage you to brush after every meal before reinserting your Invisalign trays. You need to do this whether you have attachments or not.
Another reason to keep your attachments clean is that they are made to match the color of your teeth. If food or colored drinks are left to linger or build up on the attachments, it could discolor them over time. That will make your attachments more visible. So make sure you keep your attachments, trays, and teeth clean!
Getting Invisalign in Canby, OR
Attachments are one of several innovations that make Invisalign treatment for more people than ever. So far, more than 12 million patients have gotten the smile they’ve always wanted with Invisalign, and you could be the next patient! You can get started by scheduling an appointment with us. We’ll provide a complete examination and determine whether Invisalign is right for you and whether you will need Invisalign attachments. You’ll know what your treatment will entail upfront before you get started. Contact us today to begin your Invisalign journey!
