What Are Invisalign Attachments and How Do They Work?
As orthodontics has advanced over the years, patients have been able to get better smiles with less hassle. One of the most significant breakthroughs in orthodontics came in 1997 when the Invisalign Clear Aligner system was developed. Ever since, patients have been able to straighten their teeth using completely clear and removable aligners, getting rid of many of the downsides of traditional braces.
What Are Invisalign Attachments?
When Invisalign was first available to patients, it was limited to cases with few complications. If a patient had significant malocclusions or severe crowding, they would still have to get a set of metal braces. And while Invisalign still can’t fix every case of crooked teeth, the treatment has evolved and developed to be able to take on more serious cases.
Invisalign attachments are used when a patient wouldn’t be able to get the results they need using only the aligners. The attachments are very small and are bonded directly to the tooth using a strong material. Using precise shaping, these attachments create new angles of pressure that will move the teeth exactly where they need to go.
Attachments are used primarily for instances of severe crookedness or crowding where the tooth needs to rotate. Other times, a tooth may need to be raised within the gums to line up with other teeth. The aligners won’t be able to do this on their own, but adding attachments will allow them to move these teeth to their proper positions.
Even though they will make your treatment slightly more visible to people who stand near you, you’ll still get the most discreet treatment possible when you use Invisalign with attachments. The attachments are colored to match the tone of your teeth, so someone would still have to look very closely to notice they’re there. Plus, you still get to enjoy all of your favorite foods with Invisalign attachments. Just remember to clean your teeth regularly to avoid staining your enamel or your attachments.
Invisalign Buttons
Another type of attachment you may need for your Invisalign aligners is called a button. Invisalign buttons are small hooks that attach to the surface of the tooth. These small hooks act as anchors for interarch bands that are used to correct issues like underbites or overbites. The buttons are colored to match the tone of your teeth so they remain subtle. Your aligners will come with small cutouts to make room for the buttons.
If you need attachments with your Invisalign aligners, it may take a little getting used to. The attachments can make your aligners fit a bit more snugly than normal, meaning they can take a little extra effort to remove and put back in. After a while, you’ll figure out the ideal amount of pressure needed to comfortably replace your aligners.
To see if orthodontic treatment with Invisalign is right for you, contact Dabney Orthodontics and schedule your free consultation today!