How To Take Your Dental Impressions

Read this before taking your impressions:

Making a great impression is easy.  Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Step 1: Pick your tray size

• Try the smaller tray first. Ensure that your teeth don't hit the sides of the tray. Make sure your molars don't extend past the tray.
• If your teeth touch the sides of the tray or your molars extend past the tray, switch to the large tray.
• If you are unsure about the tray size, please email support@joinclearclub.com before making your impression to prevent your impression from being rejected.
• Have your phone handy and use the timer for mixing the putty (30 seconds),  loading the tray (30 seconds) and for making the impression (3 ½  minutes).
• In front of a mirror, practice centering the tray without hitting the sides.
  

Step 2: Watch the instructional video

• Watch the instructional video before making your impression to prevent your impression from being rejected.

• Read: Mistakes to Avoid When Taking Your Impressions.

Step 3: Mix and squeeze blue & white putty (30 seconds)

• Remove both white and blue putty from their containers.
• Mix the putty quickly for 30 seconds to prevent it from hardening.
• Keep mixing until the putty is a smooth solid color.

Step 4: Place the putty in the tray (30 seconds)

• Roll the putty into a cylindrical shape. Putty should be slightly longer than the width of your palm.
• NEVER split the putty. Use 1 pair of putty per tray.
  
• Place the putty evenly into the tray.
• Spread putty evenly in the tray. Make sure the putty covers all the walls of the tray.
  

Step 5: Place the tray onto your teeth to mold (3 ½ minutes)

• Center the tray and push up with both thumbs to place it in your mouth without hitting the sides (for lower impression, press down with both fingers)
• Press up until your teeth reach the bottom of the tray (for lower impression, press down with both fingers). Do not bite down.
• Hold the tray in place firmly with your thumbs to prevent a shallow impression. Do not move the tray once you have covered your teeth.
• Wait 3 ½ minutes before gently removing the tray.
  

Step 6: Remove the tray from your mouth

• Remove the tray by pulling it straight down, keeping it parallel to your teeth.
• Do not remove putty from the tray. Avoid retouching or reshaping it with your fingers.
  

Step 7: Clean and return your impression

• Wash and dry impression
• Take a picture of your impression and upload it for impression review
• Once approved, place your impression in the envelope and mail it back with the return label included in your packaging.
• If rejected, contact support@joinclearclub.com and we will send you a new impression kit.

An example of a great impression: