Many Invisalign patients get a little help when it comes to the hard work of moving teeth. Tiny attachments are temporarily applied to the teeth so the aligners can snap into place more snugly. Not everyone needs these enamel-colored dots during their Invisalign treatment but, if you do, it’s important to know how they work and impact the course of your treatment plan.
The Composition of Invisalign Attachments
Invisalign attachments are very small dots that are made of composite resin or dental bonding. The attachments come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from squares to circles, rectangles to triangles. You may have a square attachment on an incisor and a triangle on a front tooth. You may have two attachments or a dozen. They could be crooked or positioned in a straight line.
This geometry may sound silly, but it isn’t arbitrary. The attachments may be in different places but they all work together for one purpose – to straighten your teeth permanently. The composition of the attachments is determined by the unique alignment of your teeth and where things need to move. The dots are placed strategically to give Invisalign aligners a better grip, acting like tiny anchors to apply the force needed to move a tooth and its root.
The Visibility of Invisalign Attachments
Invisalign attachments are tooth-colored so they blend into your smile. Overall, though, the attachments do add to the visibility of the treatment. Though your Invisalign aligners are clear and carefully constructed to fit around the dots, the aligners will have bumps in various places to accommodate the attachments.
When you remove your aligners to eat, the dots may be noticeable. It will be important for you to keep the bumps clean, so they don’t stick out more than necessary. That means meticulous brushing and flossing to avoid the accumulation of bacteria and food particles around the attachments.
Living with Invisalign Attachments
Whether you’re an adult wearing Invisalign or you’re sporting Invisalign Teen, living with this orthodontic treatment is largely the same – and it’s very likely to include attachments. Unless you have very minor malocclusions, there is a good chance you’ll be wearing dots during treatment to help your teeth move.
As for the act of putting your aligners in and taking them out, it can be a little tricky. The attachments make the aligners fit even more securely, and you must fit the aligners in place just so around the dots. It’s safe to say you’ll have an adjustment period as you get used to each new set of aligners.
After Invisalign Treatment
Once your Invisalign treatment is complete, any attachments you received will be buffed off your teeth completely – no one will ever know they were there. So, you might have bumpy little dots on your teeth for several months – it’s a small price to pay for a gorgeous, straight smile.
Find out whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Contact Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, Washington, to schedule your appointment.