Taking the Perfect Impressions

Follow our step-by-step guide to ensure you achieve the perfect dental impressions. Watch the video below for detailed instructions and tips.

Taking the Perfect Impressions Taking the Perfect Impressions

To Help You Get it Right the First Time

Practice First

Practice First

Use the extra set of putty provided to take a trial impression.

Practice First

Upload Photos

Share clear images of the trial impression on the AlignerTracker app.

Wait for Approval

Proceed with final impressions only after receiving the feedback first.

In Case Your Impressions Don’t Turn Out Right, Please Reuse the Trays

Just rinse them with warm water, clean gently using mild soap and a toothbrush, and dry thoroughly before reuse.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Custom Dental Impressions At-Home

The Essentials

First things first, you need to make sure that you have all the essentials when you start taking impressions.

Trays

Trays: Choose the tray size that suits you the best from the provided sizes (small, medium, large)

Timer

Timer: Keep a timer handy to track the process.

Putty

Putty: Mix the base and catalyst only when ready to start. (You will get 1 Set of Putty for making practice impressions.)

Gloves

Gloves: Wear the provided gloves to maintain cleanliness.

Cheek Retractor

Cheek Retractor: Use it to stretch your mouth and insert the trays.

Free Video Session Free Video Session

Start Taking Your Dental Impressions

Mix and Mold the Material

Prep:

Wash your hands and brush your teeth. Set a timer on your phone to track each step accurately. Lay out all items from the kit on a clean, flat surface.

  • Mix and Mold the Material

    Step 1:

    Mix and Mold the Material

    • Mixing: Put on the gloves and mix the base and catalyst together for 1 minutes 30 seconds until they blend into a uniform color, showing no white streaks.
    • Rolling: Shape the blended putty into a ball then use the palm of your hands to roll it into a 4-inch long sausage within 5 seconds.
    • Placing:  Within 5-10 seconds use your fingers to spread it evenly in the tray and ensure there’s enough putty to capture the entire arch, molar-to-molar. (Note: Don’t press too hard.)

  • Step 2:

    Time to Take Impressions

    • Place the tray in your mouth (upper or lower arch) for 3 minutes.
    • Ensure the handle is aligned under your nose.
    • Bite into the center of the putty.
    • Avoid biting into the outer or inner walls of the tray.
    • Remove the tray with one swift motion (Downwards for upper arch and upwards for lower arch).

    Note: Don’t remove impressions from trays.

    Upper Teeth Impressions
  • Repeat the same process for your lower teeth

    Step 3:

    Repeat the Same for the other Arch

    • Even if you need dental impressions for one arch, impressions for both arches are required.
    • Complete all four impressions following these steps.

  • Step 4:

    Snap 5 Photos of Your Smile

    Insert the cheek retractor in your mouth and take pictures from 5 different angles. Now log in to the Aligner Tracker App and upload the images.

    • Front View
    • Right Side View
    • Left Side View
    • Upper Occlusal
    • Lower Occlusal
    Take Pictures of Your Teeth
  • Ship it Back to Us for Free!

    Step 5:

    Ship it Back to Us for Free!

    Once done ship your dental impressions with unused trays back to us at 16 Herzog Place, Hicksville, NY 11801 using the provided prepaid return label.

Get Your Impressions Approved

Take clear pictures of the first impression and upload them to the AlignerTracker app. Only proceed with creating the remaining impressions once the approval is given by the experts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Irregular pressure can lead to unclear impressions.
  • Removing material too soon results in incomplete impressions.
  • Poor mixing causes unreliable, streaky impressions.
  • Misplaced trays can result in inconsistent impressions.
mistake-to-aviod

Save Your Dental Impression File for $24.95 $20

We can also help you store your dental impressions digitally for up to 1 year, in just $24.95 $20. This allows you to reuse them for future orders, saving time and reducing costs. Spend a little now, save big later!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make dental impressions at home?

Yes, you can make dental impressions at home using our easy-to-follow impression kit.

How accurate will my dental impressions be?

Our impression kit is designed to produce accurate dental impressions suitable for creating custom aligners.

What if I make a mistake while taking my dental impressions?

The entire process typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour, including setup, taking the impressions, and cleanup.

How long does it take to make dental impressions?

The entire process typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour, including setup, taking the impressions, and cleanup.

What happens after I make my dental impressions?

After making your dental impressions, you'll mail them back to our lab using the provided shipping materials. Our experts will use them to create custom aligners tailored to your needs, which will be shipped directly to you.

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