Invisalign is an attractive orthodontic treatment for many people with dental misalignment issues. The transparent and removable trays can make the treatment not only more discreet but also more comfortable.
The problem with Invisalign is that it's only effective for mild to moderate orthodontic issues. But, this might change too. With the help of attachments, Invisalign can now be used even by patients with complex misalignments or malocclusions.
Here's what you need to know about Invisalign attachments and if you can benefit from them.
Attachments are small, tooth-colored buttons that are bonded to your teeth. They are usually made out of composite resin and serve as an anchor point for the Invisalign trays.
Here's how they work.
The attachments are placed in the center of certain teeth, such as those that are rotated out of position. They help the Invisalign trays attach to the teeth more effectively so they can put enough pressure on them to move them to the desired position. The trays will grip to these buttons and exert more force to shift the teeth with more precision.
Because they are made out of tooth-colored composite resin, Invisalign attachments will blend with your teeth and not be visible. So you can rest assured that you will get the same kind of discrete treatment that makes Invisalign so appealing in the first place.
It depends and only your dentist can determine if you need attachments or not. If you only have mild malocclusion, then the treatment is pretty straightforward and you probably won't need attachments. But, more often than not, clear aligners on their own are not enough to help with most cases of malocclusions and attachments may be necessary.
The attachments will stay on your teeth for the duration of the Invisalign treatment. That's how you can make sure that the trays are exerting enough force to move the teeth back into their correct position.
After the treatment, the dentist will gently scrape the attachments off your teeth to restore them to their natural shape.
You need to be even more diligent about your oral hygiene with Invisalign attachments. Because food particles can build up and get trapped around the attachments, you need to clean your teeth and the buttons after every meal.
Some people also complain that putting the trays back on with the attachments in place is more difficult, but it usually gets easier with time and a bit of practice. The attachments can also irritate your mouth when the aligners are off so more care is needed in this regard too.
If you are interested in Invisalign treatment in Elma, East Aurora, Orchard Park, and Marilla areas, then the team at Springbrook Family Dentistry can help you find out if you are a good candidate.
Contact us now to book your appointment.
