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.

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

Visit our website and share clear images of your trial impression in the chatbox for a thorough review.

Wait for Approval

Proceed with final impressions only after receiving the feedback from our end.

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.

smile-specialist

Important: If your impressions aren’t usable, you’ll need to purchase additional putty for $30, which will delay the start of your treatment.

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 extra set of putty for making a practice impression.)

Gloves

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

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Start Taking Your Dental Impressions

Prep:

Important: Before you start, place all the impression putty from your kit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Then remove it and let it return to room temperature.

Once done, 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:Mix the blue and white putty for 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 share them in the chatbox on our website for review. Proceed with the remaining impressions only after our experts approve them.

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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.
  • Avoid drag marks by removing the tray gently in one swift motion.
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?

Absolutely! You can make dental impressions at home with our easy-to-use impression kit.

How accurate will my dental impressions be?

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

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

Don't worry! Our kit includes extra materials for a second attempt, and our customer service team is available to help with any questions or concerns.

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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