Clear Aligner & Braces Aftercare
Invisalign Attachment Removal in Birmingham
Finished your aligner treatment — or stopped part-way — and still have the little composite bumps stuck to your teeth? We remove Invisalign attachments, aligner buttons and braces composite safely, with no damage to your enamel. Quick appointment, gentle polishing, smooth teeth again.
Enamel-safe polishing
£54 per attachment
Any aligner brand
Simple, honest pricing
Includes gentle removal, enamel polish and an enamel check. Tooth gem removal is £54 per gem. See the full price list.
What are they?
What Are Invisalign Attachments?
Attachments (sometimes called aligner buttons, bumps, engagers or SmartForce attachments) are small tooth-coloured pieces of composite bonded to your teeth during clear aligner treatment. They give the aligners something to grip so the right teeth move in the right direction.
They do their job during treatment — but once you’re finished, they should be professionally removed and the tooth surface polished back to smooth. The same goes for bonded buttons used for elastics and any leftover composite after fixed braces are taken off.
We remove attachments from any system, including Invisalign, ClearCorrect, Spark, Angel Aligners, SmileDirectClub and other at-home aligner brands — even if your treatment was carried out at another practice or online.
Aligner attachments
Composite bumps left after Invisalign or other clear aligner treatment.
Buttons & hooks
Bonded buttons used with elastics during aligner or brace treatment.
Braces glue
Residual bracket adhesive left on teeth after fixed braces come off.
Tooth gems
We also remove tooth jewellery — see tooth gem removal.
Who is this for?
Attachments Left On Your Teeth?
You don’t need to have had treatment with us. Common reasons patients come to us for attachment removal:
Treatment finished elsewhere
Your aligner course is complete but the attachments were never taken off — or a few were missed.
Online aligner company
You used a remote or at-home aligner provider (for example SmileDirectClub) and have nowhere to go for removal.
Stopped treatment
You’ve decided not to continue with aligners and want the bumps off your teeth.
Moved to Birmingham
You’ve relocated mid- or post-treatment and need a local dentist to finish the job.
Rough or stained bumps
Attachments can pick up staining and feel rough against your lip — removal restores a smooth, natural finish.
Before whitening or bonding
Old composite needs to come off before whitening or cosmetic bonding.
What happens
How We Remove Attachments
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Quick assessment
We count the attachments, check the enamel around each one and confirm the price before we start.
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Gentle removal
Each composite bump is carefully reduced with fine polishing instruments. Only the added composite is removed — never your natural enamel. No injections needed.
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Polish & enamel check
The tooth surface is polished smooth and we check every tooth under magnification so no residue is left behind.
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Retainer advice
If you’ve just finished straightening, we’ll talk you through retainers so your new smile stays put.
Why see a dentist — not DIY?
Attachments are bonded to your enamel. Picking, filing or trying to pop them off at home is the fastest way to chip a tooth or gouge the enamel — damage that can be permanent and far more expensive than professional removal.
A dentist uses the same controlled technique used when fixed braces are removed: the composite comes off, your enamel stays intact, and the tooth is polished back to its natural shine.
Common questions
Attachment Removal FAQs
How much does Invisalign attachment removal cost?
Attachment removal is £54 per attachment, which includes polishing the tooth smooth and an enamel check. Tooth gem removal is £54 per gem. The final fee is confirmed after a quick assessment.
Does removing attachments damage your teeth?
Not when it’s done by a dentist. We only remove the added composite, using fine polishing instruments, then polish and check the enamel. Never try to remove attachments yourself — that’s how enamel gets chipped.
Does it hurt?
No. Removal is painless and no injections are needed. You’ll feel light vibration, similar to a polish at the hygienist.
Can you remove attachments if my treatment was done at another practice or online?
Yes. We regularly remove attachments for patients treated elsewhere, including at-home aligner brands such as SmileDirectClub. You don’t need any records from your previous provider.
How long does it take?
Most appointments take 20–40 minutes depending on how many attachments you have. It’s usually done in a single visit.
Do I still need a retainer afterwards?
If you’ve completed teeth straightening, yes — teeth will drift back without retention. We can provide fixed or removable retainers; see our clear aligners page or the price list.
Related Treatments & Useful Links
At The Dentist Birmingham
Invisible / clear aligners
Fixed braces
Teeth straightening options
Orthodontics overview
After your attachments are off
Teeth whitening
AIRFLOW stain removal
Tooth jewellery & gem removal
Full price list
Ready for Smooth Teeth Again?
Attachment removal at The Dentist Birmingham is carried out by a GDC-registered dentist at £54 per attachment — polished, checked and done in one short visit at our Great Barr practice.
