How the At-Home Mouthguard Impression Kit Works: Step by Step

You do not need a dentist to get a custom mouthguard. The at-home impression kit ships with your order and is designed to be completed at home using the included materials.

The entire process is handled by mail. You take your dental impression at home, send it back with prepaid shipping, and the lab builds your guard from that exact mold.

This guide shows what arrives in the kit, how to take the impression correctly, and what happens after you send it back.

What Comes Inside the Mouthguard Impression Kit?

Every order includes a complete mouthguard impression kit. You receive:

  • Upper impression trays
  • Two-part dental putty (base and catalyst)
  • Printed mixing and timing instructions
  • Prepaid return packaging

Each item is included to capture a clean dental impression and return it to the lab without delays. The trays hold the putty in place, the material records your exact bite, and the instructions guide each step clearly. The goal is to capture a complete impression that reflects both your teeth and surrounding structure, which helps ensure a more accurate final fit.

Once finished, you seal the mold in the prepaid mailer and send it back. No extra tools, no separate shipping, and no dentist visit required.

Step-by-Step — Taking the Impression

Always follow the printed instructions included in your kit as the primary guide.

Step 1 — Mix the Putty

Combine the two sections of dental putty until the color is uniform with no visible streaks. Mixing typically takes about 30 seconds, but always follow the exact timing provided in your kit instructions.

Step 2 — Load the Impression Tray

Place the mixed putty evenly into the upper tray so the full channel is filled. Aim for consistent placement to help capture a complete impression. Refer to the included instructions for guidance on proper loading.

Step 3 — Insert, Center, and Hold

Place the tray over your upper teeth, center it carefully, and press firmly upward into position. Bite naturally and hold completely still while the material sets. Follow the timing provided in your kit instructions for this step.

Step 4 — Remove Carefully

Once the putty has fully set, gently rock the tray side to side to loosen it. Avoid pulling straight down so the impression keeps its full shape and detail.

Step 5 — Inspect the Impression

Check the impression for overall completeness and coverage. A proper mold should capture the full shape of your teeth and surrounding areas. If anything looks off, refer to the Impression Help page or contact support before proceeding.

Step 6 — Package and Return

Place the completed mold in the provided return materials, seal it securely, and attach the prepaid return label. Drop it at a post office or collection point so it can be sent back to the lab.

What Happens After You Send Your Impression Back?

Total turnaround time is typically 4–5 weeks from the time of purchase, depending on how quickly the impression is completed and returned.

Once your impression is received by the lab, fabrication usually takes 2–3 weeks, followed by finishing and shipping.

After your custom mouthguard impression arrives, the lab creates a model from your dental imprint. The guard is then pressure-formed over that model to match your exact bite.

Once formed, the guard is trimmed, finished, and checked for fit and quality before shipment. This process ensures the final product is built from your impression, not a generic shape.

What If the Impression Doesn't Work?

Yes, you can redo a mouthguard impression if it does not come out correctly. Each order includes two sets of impression material, but you should contact support before using the second set so the team can guide you.

If something does not look right, do not move forward right away. Support can review your situation and help confirm the next step before fabrication begins.

Before fabrication, the impression is reviewed for distortion or missing areas. If anything looks off, the team will advise on how to proceed.

Returning Customers — No New Impression Needed

Once your first impression is on file, you do not need to repeat the process. Returning customers select the reorder option at checkout and skip the custom mouthguard impression at home step entirely.

You only need a new impression if you have had major dental work or changes to your bite. The lab uses your saved mold to produce the same fit and retention as your original guard.

For athletes who train regularly, this makes reordering simple and consistent without repeating the setup each time.

Ready to Get Started?

If you are ready to order, get your custom professional mouthguard here. The at home mouthguard impression kit ships with your order and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

You take the impression, send it back with prepaid shipping, and the lab builds your guard from your exact bite. No dentist visit. No extra steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you take a dental impression at home?

You take a dental impression at home using the included mouthguard impression kit by mixing the putty, placing it into the tray, and positioning it over your teeth to capture your bite. Instructions included with the kit guide the full process.


What happens if I mess up the impression?

If the impression does not come out as expected, do not send it in right away. Each order includes two sets of material. Contact support before using the second set so the team can guide you and help ensure the best result.


How long does it take to receive my custom mouthguard?

Total turnaround time is typically 4–5 weeks from the time of purchase, depending on how quickly the impression is returned. Once received by the lab, production usually takes 2–3 weeks.


Do I need to redo the impression every time I order?

No, you do not need to redo the impression every time. Your mold stays on file unless your dental structure changes.


Is the at-home impression as accurate as a dentist impression?

An at-home impression is designed to capture the detail needed to create a custom-fit guard when completed correctly. Following the provided instructions helps ensure the best result.


Does the impression kit work if I have braces?

No, a standard impression kit may not work with braces. You should contact Impact Dental before ordering to confirm if the kit is appropriate.


Dr. Andrew Sarowitz profile picture

Dr. Andrew Sarowitz

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Dr. Andrew Sarowitz is a New York City–based Sports Dentist with over 15 years of experience treating elite athletes across the UFC, PFL, Bellator, ONE Championship, the NBA, and the NFL. He spent seven seasons on the medical staff of the Brooklyn Nets as the team’s official dentist from 2016–2022. Driven by a commitment to athlete safety and performance, he founded Impact Dental Designs in 2019 — a custom mouthguard brand engineered to deliver uncompromising protection, precision fit, and optimized performance for high-impact sports.

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