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Diagnostic PVS Impression Guide

  • Updated

In this article:

Impression Requirements*

  • 3-5mm of gingiva
    • Putty should accurately capture gum tissue above the gingival margins of all teeth
  • Correct Material Mixture
    • If a light body material is not used correctly with the heavy body, scans will have multiple occlusal planes that create distortions that cannot be repaired.
  • Accurate tooth shape
    • Putty should accurately capture all surfaces of the teeth without any distortions
  • Third molars are not required to be captured in impressions, however, for at least some aligner coverage to prevent eruption/movement, capture the mesial 1/3-1/2 of the tooth.

*We can only use impressions of the upper and lower arches. Any other impressions are discarded. 

Common Mistakes

  • Double impressed
    • Distorts the true shape of the teeth. This happens when the tray is adjusted after it has been pressed onto the teeth.
  • Incisal distortion
    • Does not capture the true shape of the anterior teeth & gums. This happens when teeth have scraped the front of the putty before pressing onto the teeth.
  • Too shallow
    • Does not capture the full shape of the teeth & gum tissue. This happens when tray is not pressed far enough onto the teeth.

Shipping Impressions

Once you have captured viable PVS impressions of your patient's teeth, please create a new case for your patient, selecting the "Mail Impressions" option under the Scans section of the diagnostic material collection. For more information, please see the New Patient Creation & Submitting a Case or the Additional Aligners & Refinement Requests articles.

  • Please use this form to generate your shipping insert
  • Please confirm your shipping label has the correct address: 
    • CANDID C/O G-Global, 2695 Customhouse Ct., San Diego, CA 92154

 

How to take a great impression

Below is a video developed by our in-house lab team to help you take great impressions. Following these guidelines will help our treatment planning and lab teams to develop the highest quality treatment plans for your patients. 

 

 

Printable Impression Guide

Additionally, you can print this guide to refer in-office.

Note: Regarding putty color, the light pink included below is ideal, however, other light colors such as yellow or light blue may be used.  Darker colors should be avoided as they do not scan as well.

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