What Are Invisalign Attachments?

It used to be that Invisalign treatment was only available for patients with minor occlusal issues. However, with advancements in SmartForce Invisalign Attachment technology, Dr. Ashley Dawson can now treat patients with more complex malocclusions at our Mint Hill office without needing traditional metal or ceramic braces. 

In these more advanced cases, tiny, tooth-colored structures are attached to your teeth and act as anchor points for aligners, helping to move your teeth into the desired position gradually. Attachments are made from a composite resin, just like teeth fillings, and strategically placed to achieve different results. 

How Do Invisalign Attachments Work?

Understanding how Invisalign works before breaking down how attachments aid in the alignment process may be helpful. 

Invisalign utilizes a series of removable, clear plastic aligners shaped slightly differently than your existing smile. They subtly move your teeth over the course of treatment, resulting in a beautiful, straight bite. Sometimes, however, your teeth need to be pushed or pulled in a way that isn’t possible with the aligners alone, and that’s where attachments come in.

The durable composite resin attachments are tiny shapes affixed to specific teeth at strategic angles that give the aligners an anchor to grip onto, providing the leverage necessary to move teeth into their desired position. In some cases, “buttons” can be placed, and rubber bands will be utilized to coax stubborn teeth into alignment. 

For many patients in the past, tricky misalignments or other complex cases would automatically rule out Invisalign entirely and end up requiring traditional metal orthodontics. At Dawson Modern Dentistry – Matthews, however, we’re experts at utilizing Invisalign to its fullest potential, so you can straighten your smile and find new levels of self-confidence. 

Will I Need Invisalign Attachments?

Dr. Dawson has years of experience in bringing dream smiles to life with Invisalign, with and without attachments. Something she’s learned over the years is that every grin is unique, and creating a beautiful, functional bite is not a one-size-fits-all process. When you visit our Matthews, NC office, Dr. Dawson will perform a comprehensive exam to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign and if your treatment will require attachments. 

DON’T WAIT TO START SMILING – CONTACT OUR MINT HILL DENTAL OFFICE

If you’re unsatisfied with the alignment of your smile but don’t want to deal with the uncomfortable nature of traditional metal braces, Invisalign may be right for you. With advancements in Invisalign technology, attachments make Invisalign more accessible than ever. There’s no time like the present to get started, so call (704) 565-9512 or contact us online to schedule a consultation in Mint Hill with Dr. Ashley Dawson today!