What to Expect During Your Free Video Call
Get ready to experience personalized care and convenience with our ALIGNERCO Smile Specialist. Here's what to expect:
Impression Kit Guidance
Our Smile Specialist gives you step-by-step instructions on using the impression kit correctly for the best results.
Answers to All Your Questions
Get all your questions about the impression taking process and treatment answered by our experts.
Time Efficiency
Complete the impression-taking process correctly on the first try, avoiding delays and the need for repeat impressions.
No Commitment
 The call is completely free, and there is no obligation to purchase anything during or after the call.
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.
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: Choose the tray size that suits you the best from the provided sizes (small, medium, large)
Timer: Keep a timer handy to track the process.
Putty: Mix the base and catalyst only when ready to start. (You will get 1 Set of Putty for making practice impressions.)
Gloves: Wear the provided gloves to maintain cleanliness.
Cheek Retractor: Use it to stretch your mouth and insert the trays.
Must Do: Please send back the unused trays along with your dental impressions for recycling purposes.
Let's Begin the Impression Taking Process
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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.)
- Setting: The material sets in 60 seconds.
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Step 2:
Upper Teeth Impressions
- Place the tray in your mouth (upper or lower arch) for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
- 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: downward for upper arch, upward for lower arch.
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Step 3:
Repeat the same process for your lower teeth
If you need dental impressions for both arches, repeat the process for the remaining impressions. Complete all four impressions following these steps.Â
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Step 4:
Take Pictures of Your Teeth
Take photos of practice impressions and email them to team@alignerco.com (US) for feedback and guidance. This step can save time and money by potentially avoiding the need for additional impressions. Use the cheek retractor during the process and take photos from five different angles
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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.
What Not to Do: Avoiding Common Mistakes
- 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.
Need More Help?
Do you still, have questions or need further assistance? We got you! Book a free session with our Smile Specialist today.
FAQs
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?
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.
