In this article
If you have started researching clear aligner treatment, you may have come across the term attachments and wondered what they are. They are a normal part of many aligner treatment plans and understanding what they do helps set realistic expectations before you start.
What Are Attachments?
Attachments are small, tooth-coloured shapes made from dental composite material that are bonded directly onto the surface of specific teeth. They are also sometimes called buttons. They are typically shaped like small rectangles, squares, ovals, or triangles, depending on what tooth movement they are designed to assist with.
Attachments are temporary and are removed at the end of treatment.
Why Are Attachments Needed?
Clear aligners work by applying force to the tooth surface. The aligner fits over the tooth and, because it is manufactured to a slightly different position than where the tooth currently sits, it pushes or pulls the tooth gradually into the new position.
For some tooth movements, a smooth flat tooth surface does not give the aligner enough grip to apply force in the right direction. Attachments solve this problem. By adding a small raised bump on the tooth surface, they give the aligner something to push against and allow more precise control of the direction and type of force applied.
Movements that commonly require attachments include rotations, which are when a tooth needs to turn on its axis; extrusion, which is when a tooth needs to be pulled upward; and significant vertical movements. They are also commonly used for canine teeth, which have a rounded surface that is difficult for an aligner to grip without help.
What Do They Look Like?
Attachments are made to match the shade of your natural teeth as closely as possible. When you are not wearing your aligners they are visible as small raised bumps on the tooth surface. When your aligners are in, the aligners fit around them and they are less noticeable.
They are not invisible, and people looking closely will likely be able to see them. However, most people undergoing aligner treatment find them far less noticeable than they expected, particularly from a conversational distance.
How Are They Placed and Removed?
Attachments are placed by a dental professional at a Jawology partner clinic or at your own dentist as directed by the clinical team. The tooth surface is lightly prepared, the composite material is applied using a template from the aligner, shaped, and cured with a light. The process is painless and does not involve removing any tooth structure.
At the end of treatment, attachments are polished off by a dental professional. The tooth surface underneath is unaffected.
Will You Need Attachments?
Not every aligner patient needs attachments. Whether they are included in your treatment plan depends on the specific movements required. Cases involving simple spacing closure or mild crowding without complex rotations may not need them. More involved movements almost always do.
Your treatment plan will specify whether attachments are needed, how many, and on which teeth before you commit to treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do attachments hurt?
No. Placing attachments is painless. No drilling or removal of tooth structure is involved. You may feel mild pressure as the aligner is pressed against them initially, but this is the same adjustment sensation as changing any new tray.
Will attachments make my aligners more visible?
Slightly. When aligners are in, the aligner material sits over the attachments and can catch light differently in those areas. However, most people find the overall appearance with attachments and aligners in place is still very discreet compared to traditional braces.
Can attachments fall off?
Yes, occasionally. If an attachment detaches, contact the Jawology clinical team. Depending on which tooth it is on and which movements it was supporting, it may need to be replaced promptly to keep your treatment on track.
Does everyone need attachments for clear aligners?
No. Attachments are only included when the treatment plan requires movements that need additional grip or force direction. Simple cases may not need them at all. Your treatment plan will specify whether they are needed.
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