What Are Invisalign Attachments?

Malocclusion, or dental misalignment, is a common condition among patients around the Orlando, Florida area. For many years, traditional metal or clear braces and lingual braces were the only options for resolving these issues.

In the late 1990s, Invisalign hit the market. Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces for resolving mild to moderate malocclusion. It is a series of clear aligners designed to be changed every 1 to 3 weeks to gradually shift teeth into their appropriate position.

While this is typically a fairly effective technique, there are some patients who have slightly more complex issues that require additional help.

This is where Invisalign attachments, called SmartForce, come in. These are small, tooth-colored structures that are placed on your teeth, giving the aligners something to grip. There are several different shapes of attachments, depending on the type of movement required. Each shape provides a very specific movement.

At Parkway Dental Care, we offer Invisalign clear aligners to resolve your mild to moderate malocclusion. If you think you might be interested in exploring this as an option, schedule your consultation today.

How Do Invisalign Attachments work?

If the team at Parkway Dental Care determines that you need SmartForce attachments to go along with your Invisalign clear aligners, there are some things you need to understand:

First, before your first set of aligners is placed, the dentist will secure the attachments to your teeth. This is known as attachment bonding and is a process in which several attachments are attached to your teeth using dental bonding glue.

The attachments are designed to stay in place for the entire treatment process. Each set of aligners will be built to fit over them. This customization will allow them to effectively and safely grip your teeth and shift them into their appropriate position.

Each set of your Invisalign clear aligners gradually shifts your teeth closer to their more appropriate position. The SmartForce attachments give the aligners something to grip, securing them in place. This improves the precise movements and may also improve the speed and effectiveness for resolving your dental issues.

Once your treatment is complete and your smile has been restored, the attachments will be removed. This will be done carefully- and must be done by a professional to avoid damaging teeth. After they have been removed, they will not leave any permanent damage. While you are wearing them, make sure that you brush and floss as usual to avoid staining and/or discoloration.

Things to know about Invisalign Attachments.

If you are currently using Invisalign clear aligners to treat your malocclusion or if you are interested in trying Invisalign and you've been told you needed attachments, there are a few things that you need to know:

Adding attachments is straightforward

The process for adding attachments to your teeth to hold Invisalign in place is fairly straightforward. You will not be given any anesthesia since there's nothing much being done to the teeth.

Sometimes, attachments may be visible

If you have your teeth whitened during the time that you have Invisalign attachments, they may be visible because they cannot be whitened.

Attachments may be shaped differently

Invisalign treatment is 100% customizable. We can make the entire process fit your needs and goals, right down to the shape and placement of the implants themselves. Different shapes are used on different types of teeth.

The position of attachments is carefully planned

During the consultation visit and the creation of the treatment plan, one of our experienced dentists on staff will carefully plan the placement of the attachments. They will be placed in such a way that it does not interfere with anything else you have to do.

Attachments are not necessary for every Invisalign patient

Most patients with mild to moderate malocclusion at Parkway Dental Care don't require Invisalign attachments. Patients with more complex situations may benefit from attachments because they hold the aligners in their proper position, so they can effectively move the teeth into their appropriate position.

Watch out for plaque build-up

Attachments are similar to the brackets of traditional metal braces. They can be difficult to clean around. However, if you do not clean around them well, bacteria and plaque may build up around them. This not only increases their visibility but also increases the bacteria in your mouth and your risk of infection.

Do Invisalign Attachments hurt?

Invisalign attachments are made of tooth-colored resin placed on the teeth to allow the Invisalign something to grip so they stay in place. When they are removed, you may feel some pressure as each one is popped off. However, the process is fairly quick.

Does everyone need Invisalign attachments?

No, not every patient requires Invisalign attachments. This addition is usually recommended for patients with more complicated malocclusions in which the aligners will not perfectly touch all teeth when placed.

Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation with the team at Parkway Dental in Kissimmee, Florida

If you have a mild to moderate- or even slightly complex- malocclusion, and you are anywhere near Orlando, Florida, schedule your consultation with the team at Parkway Dental Care immediately. We have the experience and expertise to determine if you may benefit from this type of treatment. We look forward to working with you and helping you get your smile back.

We have two convenient locations, one in Kissimmee, Florida and one in Orlando, Florida. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Invisalign Attachments FAQ

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners used to resolve malocclusions in teen and adult patients at Parkway Dental. We recommend against Invisalign for pediatric patients, as they are still growing and developing. Sometimes, Invisalign clear aligners are not enough- this is where attachments come in. Here are some of the most common questions we get about Invisalign attachments.

How do I remove my Invisalign attachments?

You should never remove your Invisalign attachments on your own, as this could cause damage to your teeth as well as the aligners. Once the attachments are placed, it's best to leave them alone until the dentist removes them with a special tool. f

Do Invisalign attachments stay on the whole time?

Yes, most patients who require Invisalign attachments must wear them throughout treatment. However, this is determined on a case-by-case basis. You may only need to wear them for a portion of your treatment time.

How are Invisalign attachments removed?

Invisalign attachments must be removed by a professional to prevent damage to underlying natural teeth.

How do I remove stains from Invisalign attachments?

Ideally, it's best to avoid foods that could stain your aligners or attachments- but if you do consume something that may stain, clean your teeth and aligners immediately. This will prevent stains from developing in the first place.

How do I whiten Invisalign attachments?

Invisalign attachments are made from composite resin, much like tooth-colored dental fillings. Unfortunately, this means that they can be stained and lose their luster. Since they are made from resin, they cannot be whitened. If you have your teeth whitened during your Invisalign treatment, the attachments will be seen.