Invisalign Attachments and Rubber Bands Explained
Written by Stephen Forrest, DDS • Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center • Last reviewed: June 3, 2025
If you are beginning Invisalign treatment or just researching it, you may have heard about attachments and rubber bands. They sound technical, yet they are simple tools that help your clear aligners guide your teeth and bite into better positions. This guide answers the most common questions in plain language so you can feel confident every step of the way.
What Are Invisalign Attachments?
Invisalign attachments (also called buttons) are tiny bumps of tooth-colored resin your dentist bonds to certain teeth. They act like small handles, giving your aligners extra grip. Some teeth are hard to rotate or pull down without help, so the bump lets the tray push exactly where it needs to.
Shapes and numbers
Each attachment is shaped and placed for a specific move. You might have only two bumps, or most teeth could need one. Your digital treatment plan decides that before the first tray is printed.
Placement visit
The appointment usually takes about 30 minutes:
- Your teeth are cleaned and dried.
- A clear template tray with tiny cutouts fits over the teeth.
- The dentist fills each cutout with resin, seats the tray, and cures the resin with a blue light.
- The template lifts off, leaving the hard bumps behind.
You may feel a little pressure when the first aligner snaps over the bumps. This is normal and fades quickly.
Appearance
Attachments match your enamel shade, and most sit on the side or back teeth. A front-tooth bump is slightly visible up close, yet friends often never notice.
Caring for Attachments
Attachments stay on the entire time you wear aligners, which can be six to eighteen months, depending on your plan.
Do
- Brush after every meal with a soft brush.
- Floss once a day. A floss threader or water flosser helps.
- Wear trays for about 22 hours daily.
- Rinse aligners in cool water only.
Don’t
- Bite pens, nails, or ice.
- Sip coffee, tea, or red wine with trays in.
- Use whitening strips on teeth with attachments.
- Use hot water, heat can warp trays.
If a bump chips or falls off, call the office. A quick polish and re-bond keeps treatment on track.
What Are Invisalign Rubber Bands?
Rubber bands are small latex or silicone loops that stretch between hooks on your upper and lower aligners (or between a hook and a tooth). Their job is to correct how the jaws meet. While attachments target single teeth, elastics guide the bite as a whole.
When bands are used
Rubber bands are used for several different bite issues. For overbites, where the top teeth sit too far forward, the band typically stretches from the upper canine to the lower molar. In underbites, where the lower teeth are too far forward, the band may go from the upper molar to the lower canine. Crossbites, where the teeth do not align side to side, often require a band from an inside hook to an outside hook across the arch. For open bites, where there is space between the upper and lower front teeth, a vertical elastic is placed between the top and bottom incisors. Your dentist will customize the pattern and show you how to hook the bands correctly.
Daily routine
- Insert aligners first.
- Hook one end of the band to the upper hook.
- Stretch it to the lower hook and release.
- Repeat on the other side.
Wear elastics about 20 to 22 hours a day. Remove them only to eat, drink anything besides water, or brush. Swap each band for a fresh one at least twice daily because elastic strength fades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will attachments stain?
Stains are rare if you brush after meals and avoid dyed drinks while trays are in. If discoloration appears, your hygienist can polish the bumps at a check-up.
Can I whiten my teeth during treatment?
Whitening gel cannot reach the enamel under an attachment. Most patients wait until the bumps come off. We offer a quick touch-up kit at the end of treatment.
How often are check-ups?
Most people visit every eight to ten weeks for a progress scan and to pick up the next sets of trays. If you use rubber bands, the dentist may see you a bit more often to confirm bite changes.
What happens when treatment ends?
The bumps are polished off, final photos are taken, and you receive clear retainers to keep your new smile in place.
Need-to-Know Fundamentals for Invisalign Success
Invisalign attachments and rubber bands serve different but complementary roles. Attachments help trays grip each individual tooth, while rubber bands guide how the upper and lower jaws align. Attachments are placed during a one-time bonding visit and stay on for the entire treatment. Rubber bands, on the other hand, are self-hooked daily by the patient. Attachments remain in place for the whole treatment period, but rubber bands are worn for 20 to 22 hours per day and should be replaced with fresh ones at least twice daily. Attachments are polished off at the end of treatment, while rubber band use stops when advised by your dentist.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Best Smile
Attachments and rubber bands may feel like extra parts, yet they make clear aligner therapy work for many bite problems that trays alone cannot solve. Stick to the wear schedule, keep everything clean, and call us if something feels off. With steady effort, you can finish on time and enjoy a straight, balanced smile.
For questions or a free Invisalign consultation, contact StephenForrest, D.D.S., at Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center. We look forward to helping you smile with confidence!
Further Reading: Invisalign Patient Guide, American Association of Orthodontists Public Resources
This article offers general information and is not a substitute for personalized dental care. Always follow the directions given by your own dentist or orthodontist.
