You’ve chosen to take the plunge and use Invisalign aligners to get that beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of, since these are both removable and invisible. However, your dentist has now informed you that attachments are necessary for optimal results, because your case is “risky”. So what exactly are these Invisalign attachments? And why do some individuals require them?
If you’re considering Invisalign, Dr. Sbenati reminds us that these are plastic aligners and therefore certain auxiliary components such as attachments, buttons, and elastics may be necessary to ensure success in more complicated cases. Before opting for this treatment plan, make sure to discuss with your dentist the possibility of needing these additional materials so you can get a better understanding of what’s involved.
What are Invisalign Attachments exactly?
Your dentist will carefully place tooth-colored dots, or “bumps” as our patients like to call them, on certain teeth and specific locations. These bumps can vary in size and shape depending on the purpose. As a pleasant surprise for you all there is no need for shots or drilling of your teeth; the bonding material simply gets attached onto each tooth’s surface until treatment is complete which only requires polishing right off afterwards!
Invisalign is an innovative breakthrough in orthodontics, yet certain movements can still be intricate for the aligners to make. To guarantee force is applied accurately during tooth movement, attachments are placed on teeth so that Invisalign has a better grip allowing for easier motion. With these additions, it’s no wonder why Invisalign continues to be the perfect choice!
In order to get the most out of your aligner, you might have to use buttons and elastics. The button serves as the place for attachment of elastic bands. If necessary, we will trim your aligner slightly so that it won’t affect its fit when wearing a button and elastic band together. Buttons are usually small plastic or metal brackets which anchor elastics in place.
According to Dr. Sbenati, the attachments and tools (such as buttons and elastics) give your Invisalign aligner the support it needs to successfully direct your bite into a better position. Not only is Invisalign more aesthetically pleasing than clear braces, but its technology has evolved significantly enough for us to treat any patient with this system!
Invisalign aligners can create tooth movements that may be unobtainable without the help of attachments, buttons, and elastics. Before you decide to go with Invisalign, your orthodontist will go over if any of these tools would be necessary for your treatment plan and show you photos or a typodont model so that you are aware of what they look like beforehand. “We also have a model which has all three components on it so that our patients know exactly what their teeth could potentially resemble,” remarks Dr. Sbenati enthusiastically.
