Attachments and elastics: the parts of Invisalign nobody explains
7 September 2026 · 5 min read
Small tooth-coloured bumps and tiny rubber bands do much of the heavy lifting in aligner treatment.
What attachments do
Attachments are small composite shapes bonded to the enamel. They give the aligner something to grip so it can rotate, extrude or tip a tooth in ways a smooth plastic tray could never manage alone. They are removed at the end without harming the enamel.
Why elastics are used
Elastics connect the upper and lower arches to correct overbite and underbite relationships. They are worn full time alongside the aligners and are usually the part teenagers need the most reminders about.
Comfort and appearance
Attachments are matched to tooth colour and are barely visible at conversational distance. Elastics are thin and clear or light coloured, and most teenagers stop noticing them within a few days.
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