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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

Like many people who need to lose a few pounds, I try diet after diet in an attempt to find one that finally works for me. I learned the hard way that I need to make sure any diet will not harm my teeth, even if it does help me lose a few pounds. I learned this lesson when following a grapefruit diet. There are many versions of this, but the version I tried had me eat a grapefruit alone several times each day. It was supposed to suppress my appetite. I helped keep me from munching on unhealthy snacks, but the acid in the fruit took a toll on my tooth enamel and I quickly started getting lots of cavities. I created this blog to remind people that change up their diets often to make sure the foods they are eating are not harming their teeth.

Invisalign Attachments: Do They Make Your Invisible Braces More Visible?

21 April 2023
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Invisalign trays are often called invisible braces, which is pretty accurate. The look (or lack thereof) of this type of treatment is appealing, so if Invisalign is the best choice for your orthodontic concern, you probably don't need much convincing. But what does it mean when your Invisalign treatment needs attachments to be effective? If your orthodontist needs to attach various connectors to your teeth, won't your invisible braces be all too visible?

Braces

Anything attached to your teeth as part of Invisalign treatment won't resemble anything attached to your teeth as part of treatment using conventional metal orthodontic braces. You can rest easy because the typical attachments associated with conventional braces don't apply to Invisalign treatment.

Attachments

There won't be visible brackets attached to your teeth to straighten them, nor will there be metal wires that encompass your entire upper and lower sets of teeth. Invisalign attachments are temporarily made part of the tooth's structure and are required when the clear Invisalign aligner may need help to securely hold onto your teeth. 

Buttons

To facilitate the aligner tray's ability to grip onto your teeth, your orthodontist may need to give it something to grip onto. Invisalign buttons are orthodontic attachments that are nothing more than a small raised bump made of tooth-colored dental resin (the same material a dentist may use to fill a cavity). You may be able to feel the button under your tongue, but its small size and color will make it difficult to see. 

Removal

Invisalign buttons may be added to teeth as needed, and you may need several. Their application is painless, as is their removal. When your treatment has successfully concluded, any Invisalign buttons are broken up with a dental drill. You won't feel a thing, since the button isn't technically part of your tooth. These buttons are incredibly difficult to spot, but the same can't necessarily be said of rubber bands.

Bands

Like conventional braces, Invisalign may need rubber bands to add tension between the upper and lower jaws. This is necessary when a person's bite requires realignment (which is common in orthodontic cases). Bands are available in a variety of colors, but you may want to abstain from brightly-colored bands. Shades associated with the interior of your mouth (white for your teeth, pink for your oral mucosa) may be less conspicuous, or you can opt for transparent bands. These have mixed reviews in orthodontic treatment, as they're easily stained while eating. This isn't a drawback for Invisalign, since you'll remove your aligners and bands for eating.

Sometimes Invisalign needs additional attachments to be effective, but these attachments shouldn't increase the visibility of your treatment. For more information on Invisalign, contact a local orthodontist.