Is it better NOT to remove attachments when doing refinement impression?

[leevshan]

I was wondering if it's better to leave the attachments on, as my ortho said the refinement will be likely to arrive in about 1 month time.
So, I have to wear my last tray for 1 more month :(

Or is it better to remove the attachments, and still wear the same last tray with 'bubbles'?

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Are you having your attachments removed before your refinement impressions or was the impression taken with the attachments on?

Generally, we remove attachments prior to refinement impressions and give our patients an aligner that has no attachment "wells". However, many doctors will simply remove attachments and ask their patients to continue in the previous aligner. Others will not remove attachments and use the same ones, along with a new impression in refinement.

Hope that helps!

[leevshan]

Are you having your attachments removed before your refinement impressions or was the impression taken with the attachments on?

Generally, we remove attachments prior to refinement impressions and give our patients an aligner that has no attachment "wells". However, many doctors will simply remove attachments and ask their patients to continue in the previous aligner. Others will not remove attachments and use the same ones, along with a new impression in refinement.

Hope that helps!

hi Dr Tam, thank you for your reply.
I haven't done the refinement impressions yet, it will be done some time next week.

Ah, so you can have the aligner that has no attachment "wells" prior to refinement impressions? Do you have to make a special order to Invisalign before treatment started, or could you just make one (like Essix)?

Ok, so if the initial attachments are not removed, does it mean I will have them AND might have more added on the refinements?
If this is the case, isn't it better to have them removed, therefore I will/might have less attachments on my refinements?

Less attachments = Much easier to remove trays :D :D

[Rosieee]

I had refinements and when my impressions were taken the attachments were not removed.

[zippy]

My orthodontist offered to remove my attachments but I asked her not to - I didn't want to go through the inconvenience of having them removed only to have more added - I strongly suspected that I would need them. I have just had impressions taken for my SECOND refinement (yes it does happen) and the question wasn't even asked - I still have them all.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Ok, so if the initial attachments are not removed, does it mean I will have them AND might have more added on the refinements?
If this is the case, isn't it better to have them removed, therefore I will/might have less attachments on my refinements?

You may not need those attachments on your teeth for refinement. There is also the chance that you need attachments on different teeth during your refinement, so leaving them on does not preclude you from "going through" with the attachment procedure again.

Furthermore, the attachments do wear down over time, as they rub against the aligner trays during insertion and removal. Therefore, the integrity of the attachments may require them to be replaced, as they may no longer be as effective as when they were placed initially.

[leevshan]

Thank you for the reply everyone :)

I'm glad I removed all my attachments, as it turned out, on my refinement, I got 4 attachments.
That is 1 on the same tooth, and 3 on different teeth. I also noticed they look different, not rounded nor rectangular, but kind of concave on one side.

[johncindy]

hi guys,
sounds good to me!!!!!!