Invisalign Attachments: What They Are and How They Work

If you’re starting Invisalign treatment — or already wearing clear aligners, you’ve probably heard about attachments (aka Invisalign buttons). Invisalign attachments are tiny, composite resin bumps bonded to the surface of your teeth. These tiny, tooth-colored shapes play a big role in how effective your aligner treatment will be.

At first glance, Invisalign attachments might look questionable: Are they noticeable on the teeth? Do they hurt? Are they really necessary? Much like brackets are essential to braces, attachments or buttons serve the same purpose for Invisalign. They give the aligners the control needed to support precise tooth movement. The truth is, Invisalign attachments are one of the key innovations that allow clear aligners to treat even complex orthodontic cases, often achieving results that once required  traditional braces.

For a quick visual, here is a helpful short video from Jannet, a registered dental assistant and co-founder of PUL, explaining  Invisalign Attachments. 

Let’s break down exactly what Invisalign attachments are, how they work, and how to care for them so you get the best possible results from your treatment.

Invisalign attachments or buttons are small, tooth-colored shapes made of composite resin or filling material that’s bonded temporarily onto your teeth. Their purpose is to give your clear aligners extra grip and control so they can guide teeth through precise, targeted movements.

Many patients need attachments to achieve the results outlined in their personalized dental treatment plan. Without attachments, aligners would have limited ability to rotate teeth, correct vertical positioning, or close certain gaps. Attachments act like “handles,” allowing trays to apply optimal force where it’s needed most.

They are:

• Made of dental-grade composite material

• Matched to your natural tooth color

• Smooth and discreet

• Painless to apply

• Easily removed at the end of treatment
  
  

While Invisalign attachments are designed to be smooth and discreet, some patients notice that they can feel a little rough or sharp at first, especially during the first few trays of wear. This is completely normal and usually improves as attachments naturally soften and smooth with regular aligner insertion and removal. If any attachment remains uncomfortable or irritates your lips or tongue, your dentist can quickly polish it for immediate relief—so never hesitate to mention it at your checkup.

Attachments dramatically improve the predictability and efficiency of Invisalign treatment. They provide the anchoring surfaces that aligners need to deliver specialized movements safely and accurately.

Attachments help aligners:

• Rotate teeth that are turned sideways

• Intrude or extrude teeth (move them up or down)

• Apply torque to tilt teeth forward or backward

• Close gaps more precisely

• Correct bite alignment

Your aligners fit over both your teeth and the attachments, which allow for controlled, steady pressure over time.

Attachments vary by shape depending on your treatment needs:

• Rectangular or beveled attachments – used to facilitate rotations and angulation changes

• Elliptical attachments – used for simpler refinements

• Small vertical attachments – used to improve aligner retention

• Strategically paired attachments – multiple attachments on a single tooth surface used to guide complex movements
  
  

Some patients may need only a few attachments, while others may require several placed across both arches. Regardless of the number, each attachment serves a carefully planned purpose designed to maximize tooth movement efficiency.

Because attachments bond directly to your enamel, keeping your oral hygiene consistent is essential to prevent plaque buildup or staining around them. Learning how to remove Invisalign with attachments makes it easier to take your trays out safely and maintain good habits.

• Brush thoroughly around each attachment

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid wear or irritation to gums.

• Floss after every meal 

• Brush aligners with a non-abrasive toothpaste or use a daily aligner cleaning tablet

Rinse aligners with lukewarm water only

Clean aligners reduce the risk of staining and plaque transferring to and around attachments.

PUL Dental tools simplify daily care:

• PUL Cleaning Tablets removes stains and breaks down bacteria, odor, and plaque without damaging aligners

• PUL Aligner Case protects trays while eating or removing aligners, keeping them safe and clean

• PUL Floss Picks offer easy daily flossing that are convenient to carry around

Attachments can create extra retention, making aligners slightly more snug, especially at the start.

To prevent cracking trays or irritating gums:

1. Remove trays gently from the molars forward.

2. Never yank trays off directly from the front teeth.

3. Use a  PUL 2-in-1 Seating & Removal Tool for hygienic, effortless tray removal and to seat aligners fully after reinsertion.

Fully seated aligners = more predictable results and fewer refinements. After inserting your Invisalign aligners, it’s important to seat them evenly against your teeth and around your attachments to avoid gaps that could slow or derail progress.

Avoid biting directly down into your trays to force them into place. Biting on aligners can deform the plastic, place uneven pressure along the trays, and contribute to jaw or muscle discomfort—especially for patients who naturally clench or grind their teeth.

Instead, use Invisalign chewies or a proper aligner seating tool like PUL 2-in-1 Tool These tools provide controlled, even pressure that helps aligners snap fully over your attachments without warping the trays or straining your jaw. They’re the safest and most effective way to achieve a secure fit.

Exception: Patients who already clench or grind may be directed by their dentist to use gentle biting techniques—however, seating tools are still the preferred method for minimizing uneven forces and protecting the aligners.

Managing Initial Soreness

Mild soreness is common for:

• The first few days after attachment placement

• The start of each new aligner set

Relief strategies include:

• Biting down on chewies, PUL 2-in-1 Tool, or other aligner seating tools

• Cold compresses to the face

• Over-the-counter pain relief (as approved by your dentist)

Discomfort usually resolves within 48–72 hours as your body adapts to the movement forces.

Invisalign attachments may be small , but they play a huge role in the success of your treatment. They allow aligners to accomplish movements once only possible with braces, all while remaining discreet and comfortable.

With proper hygiene, gentle tray handling, and the right support tools from PUL Dental, caring for attachments becomes easy and stress-free.

From seating and removal tools to cleaning tablets and cases, PUL’s orthodontic accessories help protect your aligners, your attachments, and your results—so you can focus on the most exciting part of your treatment: watching your smile transform tray by tray.

Sources: 

1. PeerJ. Effect of orthodontic debonding and residual adhesive removal on 3D enamel microroughness. https://peerj.com/articles/2558/
2. Healthline. What Are Invisalign Attachments, and How Are They Used? https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/invisalign-attachments
3. NIH. Removal of Invisalign retention attachments: a new minimally invasive method. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19998730/
4. Springer Nature. 3-Dimensional topographic enamel surface changes after different debonding techniques for aligner attachments: a micro-CT study. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00784-025-06188-6

Editorial Policy 

At PUL Dental, our goal is to provide clear, reliable, and helpful information to patients and dental professionals navigating the world of clear aligner treatment. All content on our blog is written by our cofounder, a Registered Dental Assistant with over a decade of experience in the dental field and a specialized background in adult orthodontics.

Drawing from years of hands-on clinical experience and patient interaction, we aim to create content that reflects real-world insights, clinical knowledge, and practical solutions.

Every article is:

• Written with firsthand experience from working directly with patients undergoing clear aligner therapy.

• Focused on accuracy and relevance to current orthodontic practices and patient needs.

• Transparent about our perspective, including when we share insights about products we've developed, such as the Original PULTOOL.

As our content team grows, we plan to expand our editorial process to include additional contributors, expert reviewers, and peer collaboration to further enhance the depth and quality of the information we provide.

We are committed to earning and keeping your trust by continuing to publish content that is accurate, patient-centered, and informed by real clinical experience.