Invisalign Attachments on Front Teeth! Is it really necessar

[invisibraces]

So I expressed my concern to my ortho about the visibilty of attachments in my front teeth. She said she will only put attachments in the back of my teeth for the first 5 months but for the remainder 6 months of my treatment I will need attachments on ALL of my top four front teeth! She said it's necessary in my case because I have an open bite and she said putting the attachments on the back side of my teeth will not work.

Is it REALLY necessary you think to have attachments on all my top front teeth? It just seems like it will look awful. My aligners are already made (get them tomorrow) but I wonder if after 5 months I can still back out on the front attachments and if so, what will happen? Will they need to make me new aligners?

I just wonder if my ortho is being too picky because I've heard of people who opted out of the attachments and treatment just took longer but it was ok or they were able to get the attachments on the backside of their teeth.

[invisibraces]

by the way, if anyone has pics with the attachments all over their front teeth will be quite helpful as well, thanks!

[Advocate]

You're paying a doctor for his or her expertise. You can always get a second opinion from another doctor. But it is silly to disregard the doctor's opinion because you don't like it. You're paying a lot of money for this process. Why wouldn't you cooperate with your doctor to ensure that the treatment works? I understand about not liking the way your attachments will look, but at least you won't be stuck with metal brackets. It should all be worth it in the end.

[45wantsnicesmile]

I'm getting a total of 13 attachments. 8 on top, 5 on bottom. I figure they are less noticable than regular braces with wires and if they get the job done, you gotta go with it.

[sammywantstraightteeth]

All my front teeth have got attachments on (13 I think, if I remember my last count!) and all but 1 of those has been on since day 1.

I can see them, because I know they are there. Check out the photos in my blog (there is a link to the whole set in the signature) and in particular the one with my aligners in http://pics.livejournal.com/sammiesbrac ... 01ddc7/g34

Remember that is pretty close up.

Just today I had a colleague express surprise when I mentioned I had braces, and I've had them for 8 months. In that time I've had several face-to-face talks with that particular colleague and he never even noticed.

If you refused in 5 months time, perhaps they would just leave you with the existing aligners and a warning that it won't work properly - or to make it work they would have to come up with a new plan to move them without attachments (if that is even possible) and make new aligners. Better to settle this now. Even on front teeth, they are way less noticable than traditional braces. If your provider thinks you need the attachments for the required movement then I'd say let them get on with it

Let us know what you decide.

[invisibraces]

I really appreciate everyone's comments!!

Sammy - thank you so much for providing so many pics! I'm going to start reading your blog too tonight . I've seen alot of pics with attachments where the attachments were really obvious, but yours actually look really well-blended into your teeth. I wish my attachments will blend well as well. I know the new attachments nowadays are the so called beveled type that are supposed to be less obvious than the traditional ellipsoid or rectangular ones. The shape of the front teeth attachments in your clincheck looks a lot like the ones in my clincheck, so hopefully that means I will get the less visible ones as well.

[invisibraces]

sammy - one more thing. I just started reading your 'more bother with 18' blog and you mentioned the gap with your teeth might be permanent. I don't know if you've talked to your ortho since then but I can tell you that the gap can be easily fixed! I've seen it happen. All the dr has to do is do some ipr to shape your teeth so they are less round and then push the teeth together to fill in the gap. It should be an easy fix! Let me know if you find this message helpful at all!

[sammywantstraightteeth]

invisibraces - thanks. I know they could fix the gap, and with traditional braces it would be easy and probably very quick. But with invisalign it would mean more aligners, which I'm not that thrilled about. So I'm more likely to go for a cosmetic fix. I'm going to mention it to my dentist next time but I'm not overly worried about it. My main goal for this whole thing is healthier teeth, and the dreaded 'black triangle' isn't going to affect the function or health of my teeth.

I'm glad you liked my blog. I take lots of pictures because it helps me see the progress I'm making!

[bucky!]

I'm waiting on my first trays now, unfortunately I need attachments on my two front teeth too My front teeth are really big and bucked as well, so it's only going to make them more noticeable

Invisalign vs. conventional braces.. I'm dying to straighten my teeth, this is the most discrete way to do it. I don't have the answer to your question, but I guess just keep in mind it's probably the best shot you've got at fixing your teeth quietly.

Sammywantsstraightteeth, thanks for sharing those photos! They are definitely less noticeable than I had imagined, it's put me at ease a little because i'm worried about getting my own attachments.

[jt47000]

They really don't seem that bad... Thanks for the photos!

I also get my trays next week and will have them for an approximate 1 year. I have to get one attachment on one of my front teeth. This definitely makes me feel better about it. Thanks!

My Invisalign Blog - invisalign-blog dot com - Im documenting my experience and progress...