If you’re thinking about getting Invisalign in St. Clair Shores or Grosse Pointe, you may have done some research on this orthodontic treatment already. But Invisalign attachments often go unmentioned and unnoticed. Never heard of them? You’re not alone. Lots of patients don’t learn about attachments, or buttons, until they visit a dentist for their first Invisalign consultation.
But attachments are essential for most Invisalign treatments, providing extra force to shift your teeth and correct your smile and your bite. Read on, and learn everything you need to know about Invisalign attachments from St. Clair Tooth Co.
Invisalign attachments, also sometimes called buttons, are small, tooth-colored dots that are made out of composite dental resin, the same material used for dental fillings. Depending on the situation and the purpose of the attachment, they may be square, triangular, rectangular, or even circular.
Usually, they’re placed on the center of a tooth. Since they are made out of tooth-colored composite that blends in with your natural tooth enamel, they are nearly impossible to notice, even on front teeth.
So, why are Invisalign attachments necessary? What do they do, and how do they work? Basically, these small buttons allow your Invisalign aligners to grip onto your teeth more effectively, which may be necessary when moving your teeth in specific ways.
For example, an Invisalign attachment may be placed onto a tooth that’s rotated out of position. When your Invisalign aligners are in place, they snap over this button, which provides extra friction and allows the aligners to exert more force onto the tooth.
This is what Invisalign attachments do. They serve as pivot points and anchors for your aligners, allowing dentists to adjust the position of your teeth more precisely and more effectively throughout your Invisalign treatment. They can be placed anywhere on the aligner, including over your front teeth.
The answer is “maybe.” The only way to know for sure is to see a dentist like Dr. Carly Cassleman for an Invisalign consultation. If you have a very straightforward case and your teeth are already pretty straight, you may not need Invisalign buttons at all.
However, most patients will need attachments on at least a few of their teeth. On their own, aligners are usually not enough to correct most orthodontic issues, and Invisalign buttons provide the extra force needed to shift teeth.
Typically, your Invisalign attachments will be removed at the end of your Invisalign treatment process. To remove them, a special tool is used to gently buff the resin material off of the surface of your tooth, restoring the tooth’s natural appearance and shape.
Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional metal braces. If you’re interested in Invisalign in St. Clair Shores or Grosse Pointe but you’re uncertain about whether you’re a good candidate, Dr. Carly Cassleman is here for you.
Contact St. Clair Tooth Co. online or give us a call at (586) 404-4911 to schedule an orthodontic consultation at our office. Dr. Cassleman will perform an oral exam, discuss your options for orthodontic treatment, and help you determine if Invisalign and its attachments are right for your unique needs.
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