Invisalign Attachments for Improved Treatment Planning

Overseen By Tori Wallace, DDS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore

Disqualifiers: Extensive restorations, Enamel defects, Severe malposition, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 1 month

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to enhance Invisalign treatments by testing two types of attachments used on teeth. These attachments are tiny, tooth-colored bumps that help aligners fit better and move teeth more easily. The study compares optimized attachments, which are specially designed, to conventional ones to determine which stays on better and maintains its shape longer. Individuals beginning Invisalign treatment, with healthy teeth and gums, might be suitable for this trial. Participants will undergo digital scans of their teeth to assess the effectiveness of the attachments over time. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of Invisalign treatments for future patients.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on dental procedures, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What prior data suggests that these Invisalign attachments are safe for use in treatment?

Research has shown that Invisalign attachments are generally safe and well-tolerated. Over time, many people with these attachments feel more comfortable and less self-conscious. Some may experience slight pain when the attachments are first applied or when switching to a new aligner, but this discomfort typically subsides. Studies indicate that normal use can alter the texture and hardness of the attachments, but this does not appear to cause any issues. Overall, these attachments are widely used and considered safe in Invisalign treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the potential benefits of optimized attachments in Invisalign treatment, which could enhance how aligners move teeth. Optimized attachments are digitally designed to precisely control the direction and retention of force applied by the aligners, potentially improving treatment outcomes compared to the conventional attachments, which use standard shapes. By comparing these two approaches, the trial aims to uncover whether digitally tailored attachments offer superior accuracy and durability, potentially leading to more effective and efficient orthodontic care.

What evidence suggests that this trial's attachments could be effective for improving Invisalign treatment planning?

This trial will compare optimized and conventional attachments used with Invisalign. Research has shown that both types effectively move teeth. Participants in the optimized attachments arm will receive attachments designed to help aligners apply controlled pressure, potentially making tooth movement more precise. Meanwhile, those in the conventional attachments arm will receive attachments that work well for many dental adjustments, such as rotating teeth. Optimized attachments offer better grip and direction, while conventional ones remain reliable. Both types have benefits, and their effectiveness largely depends on the specific dental needs they address. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals starting Invisalign treatment to correct their teeth alignment. Participants should be receiving these clear aligners as part of their normal dental care and must be willing to have digital scans taken after attachment placement and during follow-ups.

Inclusion Criteria

Ability to provide written informed consent and agree to additional research intra-oral scans

I am 18 years old or older.

I am starting Invisalign with planned composite attachments.

Exclusion Criteria

Extensive dental restorations (composites, crowns, veneers) on study teeth that could interfere with attachment bonding

Enamel defects or severe wear on study tooth surfaces affecting bonding accuracy

Contraindications to digital intraoral scanning (e.g., severe gag reflex, metallic prostheses preventing accurate imaging)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Invisalign attachments as part of their normal care, with digital scans taken immediately after placement

1 month

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for attachment accuracy and wear through digital scans at 1, 3, and 6 months

6 months

3 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Composite Aligner Attachment

Trial Overview The study is testing two types of Invisalign attachments: optimized and conventional. It aims to see which type matches the planned design better and remains accurate over time, using digital scans for comparison at different stages of treatment.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Optimized Active Control 1 Intervention

Optimized attachments are small, tooth-colored composite bumps placed on teeth during Invisalign treatment to help aligners deliver controlled forces for tooth movement. These attachments are digitally designed in the ClinCheck software to optimize force direction and retention. In this arm, optimized attachments will be bonded according to the manufacturer's standard template and curing protocols. Their bonded geometry and wear over time will be compared to those of conventional attachments placed on the contralateral teeth.

Group II: Conventional Active Control 1 Intervention

Conventional attachments are tooth-colored composite bumps placed on teeth during Invisalign treatment to improve aligner retention and control tooth movement. These attachments are designed with standard rectangular or ellipsoid shapes, following established clinical templates. In this arm, conventional attachments will be bonded using manufacturer-recommended materials and curing protocols. Their placement accuracy and wear characteristics will be compared to those of optimized attachments placed on the contralateral teeth within the same participant.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Lead Sponsor

Trials

729

Recruited

540,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12329106/

Comparison of efficacy and accuracy of tooth movements in ... About 54.6 %–76 % of efficacy can be expected with Invisalign to incisor extrusion irrespective of attachment type. The present review also found that 57.5 % ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07215598

Split-Mouth Comparison of Invisalign Attachments Conventional attachments are tooth-colored composite bumps placed on teeth during Invisalign treatment to improve aligner retention and control ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07098-z

The influence of attachments on the adaptability and ... To evaluate patients' adaptability to attachments and their quality of life during the use of Invisalign®. 25 patients (mean age: 32.3 ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1073874625000684

Optimising clear aligner therapy: What current evidence ... Conventional attachments just as effective as Invisalign's proprietary optimized attachments for moderate to severe rotations of mandibular ...

5. turkjorthod.org turkjorthod.org/articles/clear-aligner-attachments-a-comprehensive-review/TurkJOrthod.2025.2025.7

Clear Aligner Attachments: A Comprehensive Review Conventional attachments, which have at least one beveled edge, are beneficial for both tooth movement and anchorage. Beveled attachments are ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7847320/

Risk Factors of Composite Attachment Loss in Orthodontic ... Our data showed that patients having food with aligners inserted had lower rate of attachment loss. The presence of the clear aligner may buffer the masticatory ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11270147/

Intraoral ageing of aligners and attachments These include increase of roughness of attachments and decrease of roughness of aligners owing to the friction, attrition and wear; a reduction of the hardness ...

8. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2021/6620377

Risk Factors of Composite Attachment Loss in Orthodontic ... Our data showed that patients having food with aligners inserted had lower rate of attachment loss. The presence of the clear aligner may buffer ...

9. healthline.com healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/invisalign-attachments

Invisalign Attachments: Benefits, Procedure, Care, and More Do Invisalign attachments hurt? ... You may experience some pain when you first get attachments or when you switch to a new aligner. This is ...