What Are Invisalign Dots? Purpose, Appearance, and How to Remove Them
Meet Dr. Stacie Morrison
Dr. Stacie Morrison, a proud Wyoming native, grew up in Cheyenne and began her journey in dentistry at the University of Wyoming before earning her dental degree from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. After practicing in her hometown for several years, she realized her heart belonged in Laramie's warm, close-knit community. Fueled by a dream to build her dental practice, she returned to Laramie to create a space where personalized, compassionate care thrives.
Beyond the dental chair, Dr. Morrison enjoys life with her husband, Jake, and their two sons, Lincoln and Lachlan. You'll often find her cheering on local teams, from Laramie High School to her alma mater, the University of Wyoming. A former college cheerleader herself, Dr. Morrison now channels that same spirit into helping patients achieve confident, healthy smiles, especially through her passion for Invisalign!
Introduction
If you're considering Invisalign or are already on your clear aligner journey, you might’ve noticed small, tooth-colored dots on your teeth or aligners. They're not dirt. They're not part of your teeth. So what exactly are they? These are called Invisalign dots or, more formally, attachments.
At Summit View Dentistry, Dr. Stacie Morrison, a Gold Invisalign Provider, often hears questions like “Why do I need these dots?” or “Can I remove them early?” The good news is that they play a significant role in your smile transformation, and they’re not permanent.
Let’s break down what Invisalign dots are, why they exist, what they look like, and how they’re removed once treatment ends.
What Are Invisalign Dots?
Invisalign dots, or attachments, are small tooth-colored buttons made from dental bonding material. They’re temporarily placed on specific teeth to help your Invisalign trays grip and move your teeth more precisely. The purpose of Invisalign dots, explained by Dr. Stacie Morrison during your consultation, helps patients understand how these attachments play a critical role in guiding tooth movement.
Think of them as tiny handles that your aligners use to push or pull teeth into place.
Why They're Used
Without attachments, Invisalign trays would have a harder time moving teeth, especially if you need more complex corrections like:
Rotating teeth
Closing larger gaps
Adjusting bite alignment
Correcting crowding
Attachments increase the contact points between the trays and your teeth, allowing more control over movement. This leads to better accuracy and faster results.
The Role of Invisalign Dots at Summit View Dentistry
At Summit View Dentistry, Invisalign treatment starts with a consultation. After that, you’ll be scheduled for:
A scan
Pictures
X-rays
Dr. Morrison then creates a ClinCheck, a 3D animation that shows exactly how your teeth will move throughout your treatment.
Although the average Invisalign case takes around 11 months, Dr. Morrison uses advanced techniques that often reduce the treatment time to just 6 months. Invisalign dots are part of this faster, smarter approach.
Once your ClinCheck is approved, you’ll receive your first tray. Dr. Morrison may include:
IPR (Interproximal Reduction): polishing between teeth to create tiny spaces
Attachments (the dots we’re talking about)
These steps make it easier to shift your teeth efficiently and safely.
What Do Invisalign Dots Look Like?
Invisalign attachments are small, raised bumps that match the color of your teeth. They’re typically:
Oval or rectangular
About 1–3 mm in size
Bonded on the front or sides of teeth
Smooth to the touch
They aren’t very visible unless someone is looking closely. Most people won’t even notice them, especially when you’re wearing your aligners. The trays cover them and make everything look uniform. Insights into Invisalign tray dots from Dr. Stacie Morrison reassure patients that these attachments are discreet and designed to blend in with your smile. They don’t stain easily, and since they're made of dental resin (similar to fillings), they blend in nicely.
Will I Need Invisalign Dots?
Not everyone needs them. Some simple Invisalign cases, like minor crowding or spacing, may not require attachments at all.
Dr. Morrison will decide if you need attachments based on your treatment goals. If you're trying to:
Move stubborn teeth
Shift roots more than crowns
Rotate canines or premolars
Align bite problems
Then chances are you’ll need attachments.
During your appointment, Dr. Morrison will explain exactly where and why each attachment is placed.
How Are Invisalign Dots Placed?
Here’s how the process works at Summit View Dentistry:
Preparation: Your teeth are cleaned and dried.
Placement Tray: A custom tray (similar to your Invisalign tray) is used to hold the attachment material in the right position.
Bonding: A tooth-colored resin is applied into the tray’s attachment shapes.
Curing: A blue light is used to harden the resin quickly.
Polishing: Any extra material is cleaned off.
The entire process is painless, quick, and done in a single visit.
Do Invisalign Dots Hurt?
No, they don’t hurt at all. However, after getting attachments, you might feel:
Slight pressure when wearing trays
Rough edges on your tongue for the first few days
Extra tightness as your aligners grip the dots
These feelings usually go away as your mouth gets used to the new additions.
Can You Eat With Invisalign Dots
Yes, at Summit View Dentistry, patients are instructed to wear their aligners all the time, including while eating, drinking, and sleeping, unless otherwise directed. Dr. Morrison customizes each plan, so follow his specific instructions closely.
If you’re taking trays out to eat, the attachments stay bonded to your teeth and won’t get in the way. Just avoid biting directly into extremely hard or sticky foods, as they may dislodge the dots.
Will People See the Invisalign Dots?
Most people won’t notice them, especially with trays on. They’re subtle and matched to your tooth shade. Even without trays, unless someone is looking very closely or under certain lighting, Invisalign dots are hard to detect. How Dr. Stacie Morrison explains Invisalign dot removal also puts patients at ease, letting them know the process is quick, painless, and leaves no damage to the tooth surface.
Do Invisalign Dots Fall Off?
They’re strong but not unbreakable. If you:
Bite down on very hard foods
Grind your teeth
Floss too aggressively
You might accidentally knock off an attachment. If this happens, it’s important to contact Summit View Dentistry. Dr. Stacie Morrison, a Gold Invisalign Provider, will reattach it so your treatment doesn’t get delayed.
How to Take Care of Invisalign Dots
Brush gently around them
Floss carefully (use floss threaders if needed)
Avoid chewing on pens, fingernails, or ice
Don’t skip trays; attachments only work when trays are worn properly
How Are Invisalign Dots Removed?
Once your treatment is complete, Dr. Morrison will remove the attachments using a dental polishing tool. It’s painless and only takes a few minutes.
Here’s what happens:
A special dental drill removes the resin
Your enamel is polished smooth again
A final rinse and check are done
You won’t feel pain, and your teeth will look just like they did before attachments were added.
After that, you’ll be given retainers to maintain your new smile. Dr. Morrison recommends wearing retainers full-time for the first 3 months after treatment.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Invisalign attachments are safe and widely used. But a few things to expect:
Slight staining around the edges if oral hygiene isn’t great
Minor discomfort when switching to new trays
Rough texture on the tongue initially
These are temporary and can be managed easily with proper care and follow-ups.
The Summit View Dentistry Experience
At Summit View Dentistry, once your treatment starts, you’ll go home with several trays so you don’t have to come in frequently. You’ll only return for minimal monitoring visits unless something unusual happens.
Dr. Morrison takes pride in designing faster, customized Invisalign treatments using advanced training and planning. Attachment dots on Invisalign trays with Dr. Stacie Morrison are a key part of his approach, playing a significant role in making the process smoother and more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Invisalign dots permanent?
No. They’re temporary attachments that are removed once your Invisalign treatment is done.
2. Do Invisalign dots stain over time?
Not usually. They’re made of stain-resistant resin, but brushing and flossing properly is important to avoid discoloration around them.
3. Can I remove the dots myself?
No. Never attempt to remove attachments at home. They must be professionally removed using polishing tools to avoid damaging your enamel.
Conclusion
Invisalign dots might look small, but they play a big part in making your smile transformation successful. At Summit View Dentistry, the role of Invisalign dots with Dr. Stacie Morrison is all about making treatment more precise, efficient, and faster, often cutting average treatment time down to just 6 months.
While you may not love the idea of having little bumps on your teeth, remember that they’re temporary, invisible to most people, and removed once your journey ends.
A better smile is just a few months away, and Invisalign dots help make it happen.
Remember
Tiny dots. Big difference. Let them do their job, and you’ll be smiling confidently in no time.
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always follow the guidance of your dentist for your specific Invisalign case.