Key points
- Attachments are small, tooth-coloured bumps made from the same type of material used for fillings.
- They give the aligners something to grip, so forces can be applied to teeth in a specific direction.
- Their shape, size and angle vary depending on the movement needed for each tooth.
- Not every tooth needs one, and some straightforward cases need none at all.
- Attachments are removed and the teeth polished at the end of treatment.
Why attachments matter
If you are starting clear aligners, you will probably hear about attachments. In this video, Dr Sarah Sadek runs through ten things to know: what they are, why they are used, how noticeable they are and how they are placed and removed.
Attachments can feel strange for the first few days and may catch your lips, but most people get used to them quickly. Because they are tooth-coloured, they are usually much less noticeable than people expect.
AddaSmile clear aligners
AddaSmile is a more affordable clear aligner option, planned and overseen by our orthodontic team. Each plan includes an in-person 3D scan, whitening and retainers in one price. Ask about it at your free consultation.
Find out about AddaSmileQuestions we often hear
Are Invisalign attachments noticeable?
They are tooth-coloured, so they are usually hard to spot from a normal distance, especially with aligners in. How visible they are depends on where they are placed.
Do attachments damage your teeth?
They are bonded to the enamel and removed at the end of treatment, and the tooth surface is polished. Your orthodontist will check the surface when they come off.
Can I have aligners without attachments?
Some simple cases need no attachments. Whether you need them depends on the tooth movements in your treatment plan.
Save on treatment with a Waterloo plan
Student Smile members get 15% off all treatments, including aligners and braces. Smile for Life plan members get 10% off private treatment, including aligners. Both plans also cover your check-ups and hygiene visits.
Student plans from £9.95/month → Practice plans from £10.95/month →
12-month minimum term. Student plans need a valid student card. The Waterloo Essentials plan discount does not include aligners; full details and exclusions are in the terms. Student terms · Practice plan terms.
Seeing us at Waterloo
Waterloo Dental & Orthodontics is at 223 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8XH, a short walk from Waterloo and Lambeth North stations and close to the Southbank. Call 020 7928 5844 or book online.
In this video
Dr Sarah Sadek
Specialist Orthodontist & Clinical Director
GDC No. 114943 · Waterloo · Croydon