Are invisalign attachments across front teeth necessary for results? My ortho offered to have new trays made without. (photos)

Hello Marcia,Attachments aid in tooth movement during Invisalign treatment.  It sounds like attachments are necessary in your case to achieve optimal results.  I would recommend that you reconsider and use attachments in your case.  They may not be completely invisible, but you'll surely have a beautiful smile in the end!  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMDSt. Louis, MO area (O'Fallon, IL)Real Self 100

Invisalign attachments are used to make certain tooth movements more predictable but also to achieve movements not possible with aligners alone.  You should discuss the consequences of not have the attachments more specifically with the dentist so you have a better idea of what to expect with the results.

Invisalign attachments are added to help direct forces on a tooth to help it move in a particular way.  If your orthodontist worked up your case with attachments then it is probably better to use them. If your completely against having attachments then you may not get optimal results. The choice is yours as you will benefit from the treatment results long term.          

Thank you, Marcia, for your inquiry. Button attachments just started being used with Invisalign treatment a few years ago. Before that, they were not offered. Studies have shown that with the use of attachments, similar to brackets placed on teeth with braces, they serve as anchors to help move teeth more precisely/efficiently and can help with treatment timing. Also similar to braces, the trays over the button attachments serve as the wire with braces to actually move the teeth. While attachments aren't completely necessary, they have proven to help achieve the most ideal results. Without them, slight movements may not be possible and/or it may prolong your treatment. It's up to you if you wish to have them placed or not, but it's highly recommended if you want the most optimal results. We hope this helps and best of luck to you! 

Hi Marcia,Each Invisalign case differs regarding attachments- some patients need them, and some don't. The attachments are there to help apply stronger directional forces on certain teeth that may need to be repositioned in a way that an aligner alone cannot achieve effectively. Some teeth need rotational bodily forces applied in order to properly align the tooth crown as well as the root- without the attachments, the true rotational forces aren't applied and the result is a superficial movement that may not be corrective enough for the treatment to be successful. I understand that attachments may not be as low profile as you may desire, but they will ensure more successful treatment that will have a lesser chance of relapse. I would recommend you reconsider and give the attachments a chance- the final result will surely be beautiful!Good Luck!