Attachments on inside-lingual-side of teeth?

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#1 Post by **h20gal** » Fri May 15, 2009 3:25 pm

Hey everyone

So I am still trying to decide between lingual braces and invisalign and I REALLY dont like the idea of attachments on my front few teeth (which are the crooked ones).

Does anyone know if they can put attachments on the inside of your teeth instead?

#2 Post by **myhollywoodsmile** » Fri May 15, 2009 3:44 pm

Yes, some orthodontists do put attachments on the inside, but only for the upper front teeth usually.

They have to specifically request it from Invisalign, and not all orthodontists do it so you would need to check with your ortho before signing anything.

#3 Post by **Wireless** » Fri May 15, 2009 7:29 pm

I have two attachments on the back side of my front teeth. They're smaller than my other attachments and were placed there in part to keep my lowers from hitting my upper gums due to a deep bite.

Before you sign up for this, be sure that you have an understanding on the impact of chewing food. I have difficulty chewing some foods as I can't bite all of the way down. Its also uncomfortable when my lower teeth bump the attachments.

If you have any significant overbite, lingual attachments could present problems, especially if larger thicker ones are required.

While mine are uncomfortable and cause some problems, I'm glad they are hidden. So far, nobody has noticed my braces - even my adult kids. I do have visible attachments on my pre-molars but they are far enough back as to not be easily noticed.

#4 Post by **andrea26** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:38 am

i have got 5 attachments and would like to ensure you that they really arent that visible. No one has noticed mine . I have had invisalign for 2 months now and only 2 people have noticed the aligners on my teeth, but not the attachments.

#5 Post by **24braceface** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:11 pm

How common is it for attachments to be on the inside of your teeth instead of the outside?

#6 Post by **Wireless** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:01 am

From most of the posts, it is relatively uncommon. I do have attachments on the rear of my teeth, but my ortho told me they were there to keep my lower teeth from biting into my upper gums due to my deep bite, and not for appearance.

My experience is they do interfere with my ability to chew - which was intended and I was told about in advance. These are smaller than the attachments on my pre-molars and I would not want large attachments in the lingual side - I think it would be very uncomfortable.

If attachments are needed on your upper front teeth, its a good idea to discuss with your ortho and see a picture of what it will look like. Also, most people don't see you as close up as you see yourself in a mirror, so they aren't going to be close enough to spot something the size of a normal attachment. I have large on my first upper premolar that is visible when I smile. So far I haven't had any comments from friends.

#7 Post by **sunshinestate** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:00 pm

I asked about lingual attachments when I was first evaluated for Invisalign, since I was mainly seeking the treatment for my left lateral incisor snaggletooth and was worried that it would need a (visible) attachment. I was quickly shot down - there was not enough room on the back of the tooth for such an attachment (given the crookedness) and my dentist did not think these attachments would be as effective as the ones placed on the front of the teeth. I did end up requiring an attachment on the tooth, but like many of the posters here can attest to, it is not noticeable by most people. Now that the tooth has straightened out, it's a little more visible, but not so much that I'm self-conscious about it.

Relax; you are likely a lot more worried than you should be!

#8 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:59 pm

The location and type of attachment required depends on the actual movement of tooth required. They should be placed into a location where a "pushing" action will deliver the correct movement since aligners are unable to "pull" teeth in any direction as braces can.

Other attachments are used as anchors and these will need to be placed in a location to resist forces of displacement. They should also be put in a location where they will not be broken off when the teeth are closed together.

At times, attachments are placed on the inside of the upper teeth. These may be used as "bite turbos" to help open the bite or torque the teeth. Again, depending on the movement required, attachments on the lingual surface may work as well or better as those on the front.

To keep attachments less visible, more experienced providers are now abandoning the ellipspoid (oval) attachments for a rectangular bevelled one near the incisal edge (biting) surface of the tooth.

Good luck!