Hello My Teeth includes an at-home impression kit with its Day-Time and Night-Time clear aligner plans at no added cost, with free shipping both ways. The Premium plan uses an advanced digital scan instead. Your dental records still need to be reviewed and accepted before a treatment plan can be approved.
Which clear aligner gives you a free impression kit?
Hello My Teeth includes an impression kit with its eligible clear aligner plans. The kit is part of the published plan price rather than a separate add-on. Check the live Plans & Pricing page before ordering because plan features and promotional prices can change.
What's in the kit
Your impression kit is a small cardboard box, about the size of a paperback book. Inside:
- Four impression trays (two for upper teeth, two for lower — one spare set in case you mess up)
- Four packets of putty material — two base, two catalyst
- A mixing mat
- Printed instructions with photos
- A return shipping label (free, both ways)
- A QR code linking to a video tutorial
The putty is medical-grade silicone. It's the same material dentists use in-office — just pre-measured into single-use packets so you can't get the ratios wrong.
When and where to do it
Give yourself 30–45 minutes of uninterrupted time. The actual impression takes about 20 minutes, but you want margin for reading instructions and not rushing.
Set up in a bathroom or kitchen with a mirror, a flat work surface, and a timer. Have a glass of water nearby. Don't eat anything sugary or drink coffee for at least 30 minutes before — residue on your teeth affects impression quality.
Go solo or have someone with you — it's completely your call. Some people prefer a friend to help read steps aloud. Others prefer concentration.
The step-by-step process
Step 1: Read every instruction first. Before you open the putty, read the entire guide. Watch the video tutorial once all the way through. This is not optional — the putty starts hardening the second you mix it, and you need to move fluidly.
Step 2: Mix the putty. Squeeze the base and catalyst onto the mat. Knead them together for exactly 30 seconds until they're a uniform color. Shape into a log.
Step 3: Load the tray. Press the putty log into the tray evenly. There should be a slight overhang on both sides — that's normal, it captures your gumline.
Step 4: Position in your mouth. Center the tray over your teeth. Press firmly upward (for the upper) or downward (for the lower) — even pressure, no tilting side to side. You should feel the putty squish around your teeth.
Step 5: Hold still. This is the part people rush. Set your timer for 3 minutes and do not move. Breathe through your nose. The putty is chemically curing during this time — any jostling creates inaccuracies.
Step 6: Remove. Gently rock the tray back and forth to break the suction, then pull straight out. Inspect for clarity — you should see clean impressions of every tooth with distinct edges.
Repeat for the opposite jaw. Package both trays in the return box, drop in the prepaid mail, and you're done.
The 3 mistakes we see most
When an impression has to be repeated, the problem usually comes from a small number of avoidable mistakes:
Mistake 1: Moving during the cure. The most common reason for a failed impression. Three minutes feels longer than you think. People check their phone, adjust the tray, talk. Don't. Stay still until the timer beeps.
Mistake 2: Not enough putty. If you use too little, the tray won't capture your back molars properly. When in doubt, use the full amount in the packet — never scale down.
Mistake 3: Skipping the spare set. You got two sets for a reason. If your first impression looks imperfect, do the second one. It's much faster than waiting for us to send a replacement kit.
If the impressions are not usable, the care team will explain whether you should repeat a tray or whether a replacement kit is needed. Confirm the current replacement and shipping terms with the team rather than assuming manufacturing can proceed from an incomplete record.
The alternative: a 3D scan
If you are choosing between methods, read our evidence-based comparison of dental impressions and 3D scans, including accuracy, retakes and what neither record can diagnose.
If the at-home impression kit makes you nervous, ask whether a partner-clinic 3D scan is available in your area or whether the Premium plan is more appropriate. A scan captures a digital model without impression putty, but availability and plan eligibility should be confirmed before booking.
Both impressions and intraoral scans can produce usable orthodontic models. Accuracy depends on the material or scanner, the operator, the arch being recorded and the provider's quality-control process. Read the detailed impressions versus 3D scans comparison, or contact the care team about local scan availability.
What happens after you send it back
Once your impressions reach our lab (typically 2–3 business days), here's the timeline:
Days 1–2: Our technicians scan your impressions into 3D digital models.
Days 3–5: A licensed dentist reviews your case — your current tooth positions, bite, any potential issues — and designs your custom treatment plan.
Days 5–7: You receive your 3D treatment preview via email and in the Hello My Teeth app. This is the visual simulation of exactly how your teeth will move over the course of treatment.
Day 7 onward: You review and approve. Nothing is manufactured until you do. If you don't love the projected result, you get a full refund minus the kit cost.
The impression kit is an important record for treatment planning. Take your time, follow the supplied instructions and wait for the care team to confirm that the records are accepted. Manufacturing and shipping timelines begin only after the clinical review and treatment plan are complete.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hello My Teeth include a free impression kit?
The Day-Time and Night-Time plans currently list an impression kit at no added cost. The Premium plan lists an advanced digital scan. Confirm the latest inclusions on the live pricing page.
Do all clear aligner plans use an impression kit?
No. Some plans or providers use an intraoral scan instead. The appropriate record depends on the program, local availability and the clinical review process.
What happens if my impression is not usable?
The care team should review the record and tell you whether to repeat a tray or use a replacement kit. Do not guess or send an incomplete impression for manufacturing.
Can an impression kit tell whether I am suitable for aligners?
Not by itself. Suitability depends on dental history, oral health, photographs or other records, the planned tooth movement and review by a licensed professional. Some cases need an in-person examination or imaging.
Sources and review notes
This article was updated by the Hello My Teeth Editorial Team using the sources below. It provides general education and does not replace an individualized dental examination, diagnosis or treatment plan.
- Hello My Teeth: Current Plans & Pricing
- Hello My Teeth: How It Works
- American Association of Orthodontists: At-Home Orthodontics
- American Dental Association: Direct-to-Consumer Dental Services
Ready to find out if you're a fit?
Take our 2-minute candidate assessment — no email, no phone number, no commitment.
