Learn to make perfect dental impressions
Our step-by-step guide will help you improve accuracy, reduce discomfort, and get exceptional results.
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Begin with these items
Trays
Check that you have one tray for the top arch and one for the bottom arch and that they are the right size for your mouth.
Timer
Use a timer to monitor the impression time. You can use the timer on your phone or a separate timer.
Putty
Position the putty cans in a visible location, but wait to mix the putty.
Gloves
Wear gloves to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination.
Cheek retractor
Use a cheek retractor to hold your cheeks away from your mouth and keep them in position while taking clear pictures of your arches.
Prepare before you begin
Thoroughly wash your hands
Brush and floss between your teeth
Check your trays for a perfect fit
A good impression
Your aligner journey begins with a perfect impression. Follow these four crucial tips to ensure you get it right the first time: properly mix the putty, use different putty for each impression, apply equal pressure around teeth and gums, and focus on getting a clear imprint of the molars and gum line. Say goodbye to redoing impressions and hello to a seamless aligner fitting experience.
A bad impression
- Learn how to apply gentle and even pressure to ensure every tooth and gum is imprinted clearly.
- Learn how to mix the blue and white putties quickly and efficiently to ensure a uniform color is formed before it hardens.
- Even a small movement during a dental impression can cause shifting and compromise the accuracy of the impression.
- Use your fingertips to apply gentle and consistent pressure around your arches, ensuring the putty is imprinted on your gums.
Let’s begin
Separate the tray for your lower arch from the one for your upper arch. Begin with the upper teeth impressions.
Mixing and molding
To create the optimal mold, put on the gloves and combine the white and blue putty until they become one hue.
Give it 60 seconds
- 25 sec: Mix the blue and white putties until they completely blend in one color.
- 10 sec: Form a uniform cylinder of putty that is 4 inches long by rolling it between your palms.
- 25 sec: Putty should be placed in the tray so that it fills the U-shaped space. The putty needs to have an extended form.
Make the first impression
- Once the putty is ready, place it in your mouth and press evenly over your upper teeth to create an impression.
- Hold the putty steady for 3-1/2 minutes while using your thumbs to ensure a precise impression.
- After 3-1/2 minutes, gently remove the putty from your mouth and use a clean towel to wipe away any residue.
- Your dental impression is now ready to be used for its intended purpose.
Do the process again
Next, we'll repeat the process for your upper teeth to create another dental impression. If you noticed any mistakes or areas for improvement during the previous impression, now is the time to make necessary adjustments. Repeat the process twice for the bottom teeth to create a total of four samples. Remember, to send us all four samples, even if they are not perfect.
25 sec: Blend the white and blue putties to form a uniform color
25 sec: Make sure it fits snugly over your lower teeth as you reposition the elongated form inside the tray.
3 ½ min: Follow the guide of dos and don’ts to make perfect impressions.
Smile for the pictures
Use the cheek retractor to separate your lips, then take a photo of just your teeth and gums. Make sure the space has sufficient illumination before taking a photograph, or use your phone's flash to help. The following types of close-ups of your mouth are required. Please email us a copy of the images you saved:
- Take a photo of your front teeth in their natural setting with your mouth closed.
- Take a picture of yourself from the right side, keeping your lips closed and in their natural position.
- Take a picture from the left side while keeping your mouth closed and in its natural position.
- You'll need to look down because we need to see all of your lower molars in this picture of your lower teeth, which we'll need to take with your mouth wide open.
- You'll need to look up because we need to see all of your top molars in this image of your upper teeth taken with your mouth wide open.
Send us your samples
You are nearly there. Remove the cardboard liner, then re-insert the four completed impressions into the box (keep the putty in the trays; do not remove them.). To send everything back, wrap the fast pre-paid return label around the previous shipping label. Don't forget to use the given sticker to seal it.
FAQs
Yes, you can make dental impressions at home using our easy-to-follow impression kit. Our kit includes all the materials and instructions you need to create high-quality dental impressions from the comfort of your own home.
Our impression kit is designed to produce accurate dental impressions that are suitable for creating custom aligners. By following our detailed instructions and using our high-quality materials, you can ensure that your impressions are precise and reliable.
If you make a mistake while taking your dental impressions, don't worry! Our kit includes extra materials to allow for a second attempt. If you need additional help, our customer service team is always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
The entire process of making dental impressions typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour. This includes setting up the materials, taking the impressions, and cleaning up afterward.
After you make your dental impressions, you will need to mail them back to our lab using the provided shipping materials. Our experts will use your impressions to create custom aligners that are tailored to your specific needs. Once your aligners are ready, we'll ship them directly to your door for you to start using.