Among the invisible orthodontic treatments we can find Impress clear aligners. This is one of the best options, as it offers advantages over other types of procedures as it is more hygienic, comfortable, clean, discreet and aesthetic.

It is important to know that on many occasions, in order for invisible orthodontic treatment to be more effective, clear aligners require the placement of attachments on some of the teeth. Their placement helps to improve the dental movements necessary to solve the patient's malposition and/or malocclusion. Movements that, on many occasions, aligners cannot perform on their own. Below is more information about the attachments in Impress orthodontic treatment.

What are attachments?

The attachments are small reliefs or "dots" that are positioned on the teeth, to facilitate the application of forces of the aligners on the teeth and that these are modified. The attachments are considered aesthetic elements, they are tooth-coloured and are removed once the orthodontic treatment has been completed.

Depending on their morphology, attachments can be classified as follows:

Ellipsoidal attachments: these are used by default for anterior tooth extrusions. They are 1 mm thick and can be ordered for any tooth.

Bevelled: they are mainly used for rotations and extrusions (abnormal tooth movement) in premolars. They can also be ordered for rotations or extrusions. The aligner is easier to insert and remove.

Rectangular: they are used individually to correct rotations, and in pairs to mobilise the root. They are indicated in cases of canine and premolar rotation and root control in the case of extractions. Available for any tooth, very retentive.

What are these attachments for?

A large part of the effectiveness of clear aligners treatment lies in the movements made by the attachments according to the orthodontist's planning. Once the attachments are in place, their main function is for the aligners to move the teeth into the correct position. We are talking about rotation, extrusion and root straightening movements. 

Thanks to the attachments, the aligners can effectively perform the movements desired by the orthodontist, with the aim of improving the position of your teeth and achieving a more aesthetic smile.

How many attachments need to be fitted?

Just like the choice of splints and their design, the placement of attachments is completely personalised. For this reason, each patient will need a certain number of attachments on certain teeth according to their specific case. Furthermore, the attachments do not need to be placed on the same teeth throughout the treatment, but can be modified depending on the phase of the treatment.

How are these attachments placed?

The placement of the attachments is one of the first procedures of the Impress clear orthodontic system. They are used through a very simple process that begins with the fabrication of templates created in the shape of the attachments, which the dentist fills with composite. Once the templates are ready, the dentist etches the surface of the tooth where the attachment is to be bonded with a gel.

When the tooth is washed and dried, the templates are placed in the patient's mouth together with the composite and hardened by the curing light. The practitioner then removes the splint and makes sure that the attachments are correctly bonded to the vestibular surface. Once this process is complete, the aligner is ready to be fitted. It should be noted that the fitting of attachments is quick, takes only a few minutes and is completely painless for the patient.

Thanks to the use of attachments, complex dental modifications can be made in all three planes of space and the predictability of treatment can be improved. The attachments are indispensable to achieve correct functionality of the dental occlusion and therefore ensure the stability over time of the results obtained with orthodontic treatment. They are the main resource of orthodontics with aligners.

Thanks to the Impress method, this innovative system is constantly being improved. The attachments are perfectly designed to adapt to the needs of each case and ensure optimal results. The attachments are the guarantee of the functioning of Impress clear aligner treatment.

It is important to note that they are not uncomfortable, do not interfere with or modify patients' lifestyles and do not require any specific care beyond maintaining good oral hygiene and aligners, as should be done on a regular basis.

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