If you’ve been researching Invisalign, you’ve probably seen the term “attachments” and wondered why some people seem to wear tiny tooth-coloured bumps during treatment while others glide through with smooth trays alone. As an orthodontist in Calgary who treats kids, teens, and adults with clear aligners every week, I can tell you attachments are one of the quiet workhorses that make Invisalign effective for real-life teeth, not just perfect digital models. When they’re planned and placed well, they give aligners the grip and leverage needed to guide teeth into healthier positions with precision. When they’re overused or arranged poorly, they can make treatment clunky and slower than it needs to be.
This guide breaks down what attachments are, why we use them, what they feel like, and how to get the best results with them. The details matter, especially if you’re deciding between Invisalign and Calgary braces, or comparing clear braces with aligners for your bite.
What exactly is an Invisalign attachment?
An attachment is a small, tooth-coloured shape bonded to your tooth with dental composite, the same safe material used for white fillings. Think of it like a tiny handle that allows the clear aligner to apply force more precisely. Aligners on their own can push teeth in broad, gentle directions. Attachments help aligners pull, rotate, tip, extrude, or torque a tooth in ways the tray alone can’t reliably manage.
They’re usually placed on the middle third of the tooth, then polished so they blend with your enamel. Up close you can see them, but from a conversational distance most people won’t notice them unless you point them out or if the attachment is large and on a front tooth. They are temporary. At the end of treatment, your orthodontist removes them and polishes your teeth, leaving the enamel smooth again.
Why are attachments necessary for some cases and not others?
I’ve treated plenty of patients in Calgary with “no-attachment” Invisalign, especially for minor crowding or spacing where teeth only need small, linear movements. But once you introduce rotations of canines or premolars, vertical control of front teeth, bite correction, or root positioning that needs torque control, attachments become indispensable.
Several common scenarios benefit from attachments:
- Rotating stubborn teeth. Rounder teeth, like canines and premolars, resist rotation. Small rectangular or ellipsoid attachments give the aligner edges to push against. Intruding or extruding incisors. Vertical changes are hard with smooth aligners. A shaped attachment can help pull a tooth down or lift it up in tiny increments. Root control and torque. If a tooth is leaning, we need to push on the crown and root differently. Strategic attachments support this invisible root guidance. Space closure. When closing small gaps, attachments help maintain angulation so teeth don’t tip and create black triangles. Bite correction with elastics. If we use elastics for an overbite or underbite, we often pair them with attachments to keep the aligner stable and the forces directed.
Notice that none of these are cosmetic frills. Attachments are about biomechanics, not marketing. The right ones increase predictability and reduce the number of refinement aligners needed later.
Shapes, sizes, and placements you might see
People often assume there is a one-size-fits-all attachment. In practice, we choose from a library of shapes, then tweak placement and orientation for each tooth. Common forms include small beveled rectangles, tear-drops, ellipsoids, and taller vertical rectangles for torque. Their size ranges from tiny slivers barely 1 or 2 millimetres thick to broader pads for heavy lifting. The shade is selected to match your enamel as closely as possible.
Placement is just as important as shape. A millimetre higher or lower can change the force vector. On front teeth, we tend to minimize size and use lower-profile options, especially for patients who speak on camera or work in customer-facing roles. On back teeth, a more robust shape is often worth the added visibility because it moves the needle on efficiency and control.
What the process feels like
Attachment day is straightforward. We clean and prepare the enamel, place a template tray that contains little cavities in the exact shape of each planned attachment, fill those cavities with composite, cure them with a blue light, then pop off the template and tidy the edges. The entire process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how many teeth we’re bonding.
There is no drilling. No numbing. The sensation is like getting a series of tiny stickers glued on your teeth. Afterwards, your aligners will snap on more snugly, sometimes with a little “click” over each attachment. Expect a day or two of pressure, similar to the first day of new aligners. Chewing sugar-free gum is fine after the first hour, but most people prefer softer foods for dinner the day attachments go on.
Do attachments make Invisalign more visible?
A little, yes, especially if you have several attachments across your front teeth. From a metre away, most people won’t notice them unless light hits just right or they’re actively looking. Up close, they’re visible, though still more discreet than metal brackets.
If your priority is maximum stealth, clear braces on the inside surfaces of teeth (lingual braces) sometimes win that category, though they come with their own trade-offs for speech and comfort. For most adults, attachments strike a good balance: more discreet than Calgary braces, more effective for complex tooth movements than aligners without attachments.
How attachments affect speech, comfort, and daily life
The first 48 hours after attachments are placed or changed, you’ll notice the corners of your cheeks feeling a little chafed where the aligner grabs the attachment. A dab of orthodontic wax on the outside of the aligner can help during that break-in period. Speech usually adapts within a day. Because attachments give the aligner more grip, you may feel that trays are tighter and slightly harder to remove for the first couple of days of a new set. That’s normal.
Two practical tips from the chair:
- Use both hands to lift the aligner off the molars first, then peel forward. Don’t yank from one corner. This saves your nails and reduces the risk of a cracked aligner. If an attachment feels unusually sharp after placement, ask us to polish it. A thirty-second polish can eliminate a week of annoyance.
How many attachments will I need?
It depends on your bite and goals. Mild crowding might call for four to eight attachments. Moderate cases often sit in the eight to twelve range. Complex movements, especially with bite correction, can land in the twelve to twenty zone. I rarely place them on every tooth. A strategic plan uses the fewest attachments that still control the movement. That means prioritizing key teeth and only adding support where forces need direction.
Do attachments stain?
Not from the composite itself, but they can pick up surface stain after coffee, tea, red wine, turmeric, or dark sauces. The aligners protect them while you’re wearing trays. If you drink a lot of coffee with trays in, mild staining can build at the margins. It’s cosmetic, not harmful, and we can polish attachments at check-ups if needed. Brushing after meals, rinsing before you pop aligners back in, and keeping your trays clean will keep attachments looking neutral.
How long do attachments stay on?
They stay for the portion of treatment where they’re needed. If a tooth has achieved its movement goals, we sometimes remove or change its attachment mid-treatment. At the end, everything comes off and we polish enamel for a smooth finish. If you ever lose one between visits, call your orthodontist. Sometimes we leave it off if its job is done, other times we bring you in to rebond it so the aligner continues to track correctly.
The difference between a well-planned attachment setup and a messy one
This is where experience shows. I’ve inherited cases where every anterior tooth had a large rectangular attachment, and yet the front teeth still lacked torque control. More attachments did not equal better movement. When we re-planned the case, we placed a few carefully oriented attachments and added pressure points in the aligners. Tracking improved, refinements dropped, and the patient finished on time.
A thoughtful plan looks at:
- Which teeth truly need leverage, and which can ride along with minimal help. How to balance forces so we’re not pushing in one direction without anchorage in the other. The sequence of movements. Sometimes rotating first, then closing space, gives better control than trying to do both at once. Patient habits. If someone sips coffee all morning with aligners in, we might avoid large front-tooth attachments to reduce stain risk and place more force on posterior anchors.
Attachments and compliance: honest talk about wear time
Attachments give aligners power, but they don’t replace consistent wear. Teeth move biologically, not digitally. For adult braces or clear braces, the appliance is glued on, so it works 24/7. With Invisalign, you choose to wear the appliance. I ask for 20 to 22 hours per day, with aligners out only for meals and brushing. If you average 16 hours, you’ll see more tracking issues, especially on teeth with attachments doing heavy lifting.
If a tray stops fitting tightly over an attachment, that’s a warning sign. Don’t jump ahead to the next aligner. Call us. Sometimes we use chewies and a focused wear schedule to reseat the current tray. If that fails, we may order a short refinement series. Fixing tracking early prevents months of backtracking later.
Are attachments safe for enamel?
Yes, when placed and removed correctly. Composite bonding is reversible. We use a gentle enamel etch and a resin adhesive, similar to what’s used for braces. Removal involves a specialized polishing bur and finishing discs. In experienced hands, enamel integrity is preserved. If you have enamel defects or significant wear, we tailor the etch strength and polishing to protect what you have, and we document baseline photos so you can compare before and after with confidence.
Comparing Invisalign with attachments to Calgary braces and clear braces
Patients often ask which is faster: braces or Invisalign. The honest answer is that it depends on your case type, your compliance, and the orthodontist’s plan. For crowded arches with significant rotations and vertical changes, attachments put Invisalign in the same performance league as braces for many adults. Braces have the edge when compliance is uncertain or when we need complex three-dimensional control without removable trays.
Clear braces, made of ceramic, are more discreet than metal and deliver continuous force without patient wear decisions. They can stain at the elastic ties, and they’re still visible up close. Invisalign with attachments typically wins on convenience for eating and brushing, and it’s kinder to lips and cheeks over the long haul.
As a family orthodontist, I also consider lifestyle. Teens in sports appreciate aligners they can take out for a mouthguard, though we then rely on them to put trays back in promptly. Musicians who play wind instruments sometimes prefer braces to avoid removing trays during practice. Adults in client-facing roles often prefer Invisalign Calgary options because attachments are small, and trays come out for photos, speeches, or social events.
How we decide where to place attachments in our Calgary practice
Treatment planning starts with high-resolution scans and photos, followed by a careful bite analysis. I look at what the simulation proposes and then ask: will this work in a real mouth with saliva, muscles, and a busy schedule? If the plan calls for a large array of anterior attachments for minor spacing, we simplify. If the plan understates the challenge of rotating a canine 35 degrees, we add a purpose-designed attachment or plan staged movements.
We also consider enamel shape. A very convex tooth might benefit from a flattened bonding spot to improve attachment retention. Short crowns sometimes need a taller attachment to gain leverage, but we trim shapes so they don’t irritate the lip. Every choice is a trade-off. The goal is not zero attachments, it’s the right attachments, in the right places, for the shortest, smoothest path to a healthy bite.
Common myths I hear in the clinic
- “Attachments mean my case is complicated.” Not always. They can be a simple insurance policy for reliable movement, even in mild cases. “If I refuse attachments, I can still get the same result.” Possibly for minor alignment. For rotations, vertical changes, and root positioning, results without attachments are often slower and less precise, with more refinements. “Attachments damage teeth.” Properly handled, they do not. We avoid over-etching and we polish with enamel-safe techniques. “I can take a break from aligners on weekends.” That’s a recipe for trays not fitting by Monday. Teeth rebound. Consistency beats intensity.
What happens if an attachment comes off?
You’ll feel the aligner loosen around that tooth or see a gap between the tray and enamel. Call us. If the tooth still needs control, we’ll rebond it, usually in a quick 10 to 15 minute visit. If it’s late in the sequence and movement is essentially done, we may leave it off. Keep wearing your aligners as instructed until we advise otherwise. Don’t switch trays early, and don’t skip nights.
Will attachments affect whitening or future dental work?
During Invisalign, we generally avoid whitening because trays and attachments can create uneven results. If you’re set on whitening, we plan it before treatment or after attachments come off. For future dental work like veneers or crowns, attachments don’t interfere. We do flag any teeth with extensive bonding or thin enamel during planning to ensure the adhesive bond is appropriate.
Eating, drinking, and cleaning with attachments
You remove aligners to eat and drink anything except cool water. Attachments stay bonded, so food can catch around them. This is more noticeable without trays in. A quick rinse after meals helps, especially if you can’t brush right away. At home, a soft electric toothbrush and a water flosser make cleaning around attachments effortless. Aligners should be cleaned twice daily with a mild, non-abrasive cleanser designed for trays or a gentle unscented soap. Skip hot water, which can warp aligners.
For coffee lovers, a reusable straw reduces exposure. If you drink coffee with trays in, expect more edge staining on aligner margins and plan to rinse with water afterward. If you’re sipping all day, shift to defined coffee times, then brush or rinse and reinsert. Small habit tweaks preserve the look of attachments and keep breath fresher too.
Timelines, refinements, and realistic expectations
Even with excellent planning, most adult Invisalign cases need a refinement phase. Think of it as a finishing set: ten to twenty extra aligners that polish small details once 80 to 90 percent of the movement is done. Attachments may change during refinements, sometimes becoming smaller or shifting position to target a last rotation or a subtle torque. This is normal and not a sign of failure. It’s how we capture a precise result.
Typical treatment times:
- Mild alignment: 6 to 9 months, often with 1 short refinement. Moderate crowding or spacing: 10 to 16 months, commonly 1 refinement. Complex cases with bite changes: 16 to 24 months, often 1 to 2 refinements, sometimes elastics and additional attachments.
Patients who hit 20 to 22 hours of wear and change aligners as instructed almost always beat the averages.
Who is not a good candidate for attachments?
If you’re unable or unwilling to wear trays consistently, attachments won’t rescue the plan. https://griffinzzug790.iamarrows.com/orthodontic-care-for-adults-in-calgary-options-and-outcomes Heavy smokers may notice more plaque and stain around attachments and should be prepared for extra hygiene effort. Severe periodontal issues require stabilization before orthodontic movement, regardless of appliance. If you grind heavily at night and cannot wear trays while sleeping, braces may make more sense.
Cost considerations in Calgary
Fees for Invisalign in Calgary vary with case complexity, typically ranging from the mid- to high-four figures for mild cases, to higher for complex bite corrections. Attachments themselves are part of the Invisalign workflow and don’t add a separate line item. Where they can affect cost is in efficiency. Better tracking means fewer extra visits and fewer refinements, which helps keep timelines and budgets predictable. Many insurance plans that cover Calgary braces also cover Invisalign at the same percentage. Our office checks benefits and offers payment plans so families can choose based on care, not just sticker price.
A brief case story
A 34-year-old patient came in with moderate crowding, a rotated upper canine, and small black triangles between the lower incisors. She wanted Invisalign, but she was nervous about the look of attachments on front teeth for her job in real estate. We mapped a plan with small attachments on the upper premolars and a narrow, beveled attachment on the canine, avoiding a bulky shape on the front four teeth. We staged movements: rotated the canine first, then closed space with root control to minimize black triangles. She wore trays 21 hours a day, used chewies the first week of each aligner, and we added a short refinement at month 10. Total time: 13 months. No one at work noticed the attachments unless she pointed them out, and she finished with healthy papillae and a stable bite.
Simple habits that improve outcomes with attachments
- Seat new aligners with chewies for 5 to 10 minutes, twice a day, for the first 2 days of each set. This helps the tray fully engage the attachments. Store trays in their case every time they’re out. Napkin-wrap is where aligners go to disappear. Keep a travel toothbrush and mini floss in your bag or car. Rinse and quick brush after meals before reinserting. If an aligner isn’t fitting flush over an attachment, pause and call. Early support prevents big detours.
Final thoughts from the chair
Invisalign attachments aren’t flashy. They don’t get the spotlight in ads. Yet they’re the difference between a nice simulation and a real result that holds up. When planned with intention, they let aligners move teeth with the nuance that braces teams have used for decades, while keeping the day-to-day experience flexible and discreet. If you’re comparing Invisalign Calgary options with Calgary braces or clear braces, focus on the plan and the orthodontist, not just the appliance. A thoughtful strategy, steady wear, and a few well-placed attachments can deliver the healthy, confident smile you’re aiming for.
If you’re curious how attachments would look in your specific case, a quick digital scan in our clinic shows precisely where they’d go and why. From there, we can decide together whether Invisalign or braces fit your goals and routine best.
6 Calgary Locations)
Business Name: Family Braces
Website: https://familybraces.ca
Email: [email protected]
Phone (Main): (403) 202-9220
Fax: (403) 202-9227
Hours (General Inquiries):
Monday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Locations (6 Clinics Across Calgary, AB):
NW Calgary (Beacon Hill): 11820 Sarcee Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1 — Tel: (403) 234-6006
NE Calgary (Deerfoot City): 901 64 Ave NE, Suite #4182, Calgary, AB T2E 7P4 — Tel: (403) 234-6008
SW Calgary (Shawnessy): 303 Shawville Blvd SE #500, Calgary, AB T2Y 3W6 — Tel: (403) 234-6007
SE Calgary (McKenzie): 89, 4307-130th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 3V8 — Tel: (403) 234-6009
West Calgary (Westhills): 470B Stewart Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 3C8 — Tel: (403) 234-6004
East Calgary (East Hills): 165 East Hills Boulevard SE, Calgary, AB T2A 6Z8 — Tel: (403) 234-6005
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Maps (6 Locations):
NW (Beacon Hill)
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SW (Shawnessy)
SE (McKenzie)
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Family Braces is a Calgary, Alberta orthodontic brand that provides braces and Invisalign through six clinics across the city and can be reached at (403) 202-9220.
Family Braces offers orthodontic services such as Invisalign, traditional braces, clear braces, retainers, and early phase one treatment options for kids and teens in Calgary.
Family Braces operates in multiple Calgary areas including NW (Beacon Hill), NE (Deerfoot City), SW (Shawnessy), SE (McKenzie), West (Westhills), and East (East Hills) to make orthodontic care more accessible across the city.
Family Braces has a primary clinic location at 11820 Sarcee Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1 and also serves patients from additional Calgary shopping-centre-based clinics across other quadrants.
Family Braces provides free consultation appointments for patients who want to explore braces or Invisalign options before starting treatment.
Family Braces supports flexible payment approaches and financing options, and patients should confirm current pricing details directly with the clinic team.
Family Braces can be contacted by email at [email protected] for general questions and scheduling support.
Family Braces maintains six public clinic listings on Google Maps.
Popular Questions About Family Braces
What does Family Braces specialize in?
Family Braces focuses on orthodontic care in Calgary, including braces and Invisalign-style clear aligner treatment options. Treatment recommendations can vary based on an exam and records, so it’s best to book a consultation to confirm what’s right for your situation.
How many locations does Family Braces have in Calgary?
Family Braces has six clinic locations across Calgary (NW, NE, SW, SE, West, and East), designed to make appointments more convenient across different parts of the city.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist at Family Braces?
Family Braces generally promotes a no-referral-needed approach for getting started. If you have a dentist or healthcare provider, you can still share relevant records, but most people can begin by booking directly.
What orthodontic treatment options are available?
Depending on your needs, Family Braces may offer options like metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, retainers, and early orthodontic treatment for children. Your consultation is typically the best way to compare options for comfort, timeline, and budget.
How long does orthodontic treatment usually take?
Orthodontic timelines vary by case complexity, bite correction needs, and how consistently appliances are worn (for aligners). Many treatments commonly take months to a couple of years, but your plan may be shorter or longer.
Does Family Braces offer financing or payment plans?
Family Braces markets payment plan options and financing approaches. Because terms can change, it’s smart to ask during your consultation for the most current monthly payment options and what’s included in the total fee.
Are there options for kids and teens?
Yes, Family Braces offers orthodontic care for children and teens, including early phase one treatment options (when appropriate) and full treatment planning once more permanent teeth are in.
How do I contact Family Braces to book an appointment?
Call +1 (403) 202-9220 or email [email protected] to ask about booking. Website: https://familybraces.ca
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Landmarks Near Calgary, Alberta
Family Braces is proud to serve the Beacon Hill (NW Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for orthodontist services in Beacon Hill (NW Calgary), visit Family Braces near Beacon Hill Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the NW Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign options for many ages. If you’re looking for braces in NW Calgary, visit Family Braces near Costco (Beacon Hill area).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Deerfoot City (NE Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Deerfoot City (NE Calgary), visit Family Braces near Deerfoot City Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the NE Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in NE Calgary, visit Family Braces near The Rec Room (Deerfoot City).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Shawnessy (SW Calgary) community and provides orthodontic services including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for braces in Shawnessy (SW Calgary), visit Family Braces near Shawnessy Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the SW Calgary community and offers Invisalign and braces consultations. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in SW Calgary, visit Family Braces near Shawnessy LRT Station.
Family Braces is proud to serve the McKenzie area (SE Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for braces in SE Calgary, visit Family Braces near McKenzie Shopping Center.
Family Braces is proud to serve the SE Calgary community and offers orthodontic consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in SE Calgary, visit Family Braces near Staples (130th Ave SE area).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Westhills (West Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in West Calgary, visit Family Braces near Westhills Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the West Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for braces in West Calgary, visit Family Braces near Cineplex (Westhills).
Family Braces is proud to serve the East Hills (East Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in East Calgary, visit Family Braces near East Hills Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the East Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in East Calgary, visit Family Braces near Costco (East Hills).