If you’re exploring the Lafayette Invisalign process and you’re thinking about getting treatment in Lafayette or Opelousas at Camellia Orthodontics, you may be wondering what Invisalign “attachments” are, how they work, and why they’re needed.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the basics of this part of the Invisalign treatment process, and answer some common FAQs about attachments and how they work together with Invisalign trays to straighten your teeth. Let’s get into it!
WHAT ARE INVISALIGN ATTACHMENTS, AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
Sometimes referred to as “buttons,” Invisalign attachments are small pieces of composite resin that Dr. Diana Bozner will attach to your teeth during the Invisalign treatment process. Depending on the location and the type of attachment, these may be rounded, square, triangular, or a variety of other shapes.
Attachments are usually placed on the middle of your tooth by your Lafayette orthodontist. These small bumps protrude from your teeth slightly. This gives your Invisalign trays something to grab onto during treatment, allowing the trays move your teeth more effectively.
WHY ARE INVISALIGN ATTACHMENTS NECESSARY?
Your teeth are very smooth. That’s normally a good thing! But for Invisalign treatment, it can pose a challenge. Depending on the details of your treatment, your Invisalign trays may need a little bit more help to move your teeth. That’s where attachments come in.
Invisalign attachments serve as anchors for your trays, allowing your Invisalign trays to hold on tightly to your teeth and move your teeth in specific directions. Basically, getting an attachment allows your trays to exert more force on the tooth than it would be able to if the attachment was not in place.
Overall, this adds much more flexibility and versatility to Invisalign treatment. Thanks to attachments and other advances in clear aligners, it’s now possible to treat a wider variety of misalignments with Invisalign, including rotated teeth and other complex orthodontic issues.
WILL I NEED ATTACHMENTS FOR MY INVISALIGN TREATMENT?
The answer is usually “yes.” Of course, this depends on the specifics of your case. If you have very minor orthodontic issues, attachments may not be needed. However, most patients will need to get multiple attachments as part of their Invisalign treatment process.
ARE ATTACHMENTS VISIBLE WHEN I WEAR MY ALIGNERS?
Your attachments would only be visible if someone was looking very closely at your teeth. Attachments are made from tooth-colored resin, and are designed to be as small as possible so that they do not affect your appearance. This makes them very hard to see, especially when you’re wearing a set of Invisalign trays.
WHEN ARE ATTACHMENTS USUALLY REMOVED?
Invisalign attachments are usually only removed once your Invisalign treatment is complete. When it’s time to remove your attachments, Dr. Bozner will use a special sanding tool. She will gently buff each attachment away until it’s been completely removed from your tooth. But don’t worry! This doesn’t harm your natural enamel in any way.
FIND OUT IF YOU’RE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR INVISALIGN IN LAFAYETTE AND OPELOUSAS
Thanks to attachments and other modern treatment techniques, Invisalign is more versatile and powerful than ever before. Wondering if it’s a good fit for you in Opelousas or Lafayette? Dr. Bozner and the team at Camellia Orthodontics are here to help.
You can call our Opelousas office at (337) 948-3491, call our Lafayette office at (337) 291-9141, or contact us online to schedule an orthodontic consultation today. We’re always accepting new patients, and Dr. Bozner would love to meet with you and discuss your options for enhancing your smile.