Clear Retain
Extra Impression Putty (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)
Extra Impression Putty is a high-viscosity vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) dental impression material used to create molds of teeth for Clear Retain's at-home retainer kit. It consists of two pastes that are mixed together to form a tray material for accurate tooth impressions, with a two-year shelf life and ingredients including polydimethylsiloxane polymer and silicon dioxide. Each set includes one white and one colored putty, sufficient for a single impression; customers can order additional sets (2-5) to practice or remake impressions if needed.
- Category
- Health & Beauty > Health Care
- GTIN
850017166127
Specifications
ClearRetain Extra Impression Putty is a high-viscosity vinyl polysiloxane dental impression material. It consists of two pastes that harden when mixed, providing excellent dimensional accuracy and stability for creating dental impressions for custom retainers.
High viscosity for stability; two-paste system that hardens when mixed; excellent dimensional accuracy and stability; designed as tray material for reproduction of teeth shaping; two-year shelf life; includes white and colored putty sets.
- Material
- polydimethylsiloxane polymer, silicon dioxide, polymethyl hydrogen siloxane, and plasticizer pigments
- Gender
- unisex
- Condition
- new
- Weight
- 5 oz
- Category
- Health & Beauty > Health Care
Additional Attributes
- vinyl polysiloxane impression material
- high viscosity
- excellent dimensional accuracy
- excellent dimensional stability
- two-paste system
- harden when mixed
- tray material for teeth shaping reproduction
- two-year shelf life
- white and colored
- strongly recommended
Product Insights
Clear Retain's Extra Impression Putty brings professional-grade dental impression-taking into the home: a vinyl polysiloxane putty with 98.5% elastic recovery that holds arch geometry through mailing and reproduces marginal fit to a mean 95 μm, matching professional putty-wash precision—at about 90% below professional kit cost. The core promise is accurate retainer impressions without a dentist, but that accuracy is contingent on strict technique: mixing white and colored pastes 1:1, seating the tray within 45 seconds, holding motionless for 5 minutes, and leaving the tray intact. First-time failures commonly stem from too-small trays, thin gum-line coverage, or premature removal, which is why the product is sold in 2–5 set packs that reduce per-impression cost from $6.00 to $4.00 and provide spare attempts, with unused putty refundable as redo insurance. The main tradeoff is technique dependence and clinical preconditions: users need healthy teeth, must remove brackets, gems, or cement, should use the largest comfortable tray with 2–3 mm clearance, and silicone-allergic individuals require a dentist's OK. Shelf life and storage matter—two years at 59–77°F, and expired putty turns stiff—but with careful execution, the putty delivers professional accuracy at home, backed by a 60-day defect warranty and support that offers photo pre-checks before mailing impressions.
Verified claims
- Set quantity
- Four pack sizes (2–5 sets); taking one arch at a time makes the 3-set pack the first with a spare retake.
- Failure modes
- First-time failures center on a too-small tray, thin gum-line coverage, or removing the tray too soon.
- Shelf life
- Unopened putty keeps two years if stored at 65–75°F away from heat and humidity.
- Working time
- Putty starts to harden 40–45 seconds after mixing starts; mixing cap is 30 seconds.
- Set and removal
- Hold the tray motionless in the mouth for 5 minutes; remove only after the putty passes a fingertip squish test.
- Mixing procedure
- Mix one white and one colored paste 1:1 until uniform, then shape into an arch.
- Impression technique
- Approved impressions need arch-shaped putty, 2-3 mm clearance, a 5-minute hold, and tray left intact.
- Putty properties
- This vinyl polysiloxane putty is thick, odorless, has 98.5% elastic recovery, and a two-year shelf life.
- Dental hardware
- Remove brackets, buttons, gems, or leftover cement before taking an impression.
- Dimensional stability
- Set VPS recovers 98.5% of its shape and holds arch geometry through mailing
- Impression process
- Users must mix 1:1, seat the tray within 45 sec, hold 5 min, and leave it in the tray
- Storage
- Unopened putty stays accurate two years at 59–77°F
- Clinical-grade base
- VPS putty matches professional putty-wash precision: mean 95 μm marginal misfit
- Pack pricing
- Per-impression cost falls from $6.00 to $4.00 as pack size grows from 2 to 5 sets — a 33% saving.
- Redo insurance
- Buyers report redoing first impressions; the 3-5 set packs leave spare attempts and unused putty is refundable.
- Material
- Polydimethylsiloxane polymer, silicon dioxide, polymethyl hydrogen siloxane, plasticizer pigments, with 98.5% elastic recovery.
- Tray behavior
- Mixed putty is a thick, doughy paste that holds its arch shape, starts hardening in 40–45 seconds, and needs a 5-minute hold.
- Dimensional accuracy
- Cured putty springs back 98.5% and holds its shape for days, reducing two-step marginal misfit to 95 μm.
- Gag reflex
- Gagging comes from the tray, not putty taste or consistency.
- Tray fit
- Use the largest comfortable tray and keep 2-3 mm behind front teeth.
- Gag management
- One arch at a time, tissues ready, then hold still for 5 minutes.
- Allergens
- Latex-free VPS putty; silicone-allergic users need a dentist's OK first.
- Dental precautions
- Home impression use assumes healthy teeth; retainers can worsen loose fillings, crowns, or decay.
- Expiration signs
- Expired putty turns stiff or crumbly, or mixed putty fails to cure on schedule.
- Price benchmark
- The $12 two-set pack undercuts Retainers Direct by $2.99 and is about 90% cheaper than professional VPS kits.
- Practice-run buffer
- A buyer reports redoing a botched first impression with the included spare set.
- Warranty
- Free replacement covers defects for 60 days, but excludes lost or pet-chewed retainers; cracked retainers route to a paid grind guard.
- Support
- Buyers describe a photo pre-check before mailing impressions, but support experiences split.
Product record
- Title
- Extra Impression Putty (strongly Recommended)
- Brand
- Clear Retain
- Price
- $12 USD
- Availability
- In stock
- Rating
- 4.8 stars, 474 reviews, scale 5
Image Analysis
4 images- 01
Product
Six hemispherical putty domes arranged in two vertical columns (three per column). Each dome sits in a clear circular blister tray with a small tab; domes on the left are bright pink and domes on the right are pale blue. Surfaces are glossy with visible rectangular light reflections and occasional small surface inclusions on the pink domes.
- Overall arrangementSix hemispherical domes arranged in two vertical columns of three; left column domes are pink and right column domes are light blue. Each dome sits centrally inside a clear circular blister tray.
- Left-column dome geometryRounded hemispherical dome with smooth glossy surface and visible small darker specks or tiny air inclusions on the surface.
3 regions
x 0.08 · y 0.08 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (high); x 0.08 · y 0.36 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (high); x 0.08 · y 0.64 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (high) - Right-column dome geometryRounded hemispherical dome with smooth glossy surface and uniform color; fewer visible surface inclusions compared with left-column domes.
3 regions
x 0.53 · y 0.08 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (high); x 0.53 · y 0.36 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (high); x 0.53 · y 0.64 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (high) - Gloss and highlightsEach dome shows bright, rectangular white highlights consistent with studio lighting reflections on a glossy finish.
- Blister tray detailClear circular plastic trays surround each dome with a visible rim and a small molded retaining tab at the front edge of each tray.
2 regions
x 0.04 · y 0.06 · w 0.42 · h 0.28 (medium); x 0.49 · y 0.06 · w 0.42 · h 0.28 (medium)
Packaging
Clear circular blister trays are visible under each dome; each tray has a molded tab on the front rim.
- Blister materialTransparent plastic blister trays visible under every dome with a slightly frosted inner ring and a clearer outer rim.
6 regions
x 0.04 · y 0.06 · w 0.42 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.49 · y 0.06 · w 0.42 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.04 · y 0.34 · w 0.42 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.49 · y 0.34 · w 0.42 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.04 · y 0.62 · w 0.42 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.49 · y 0.62 · w 0.42 · h 0.28 (high) - Molded retention tabSmall semicircular molded tab visible at the front edge of each tray, protruding slightly over the tray rim.
6 regions
x 0.18 · y 0.24 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high); x 0.63 · y 0.24 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high); x 0.18 · y 0.52 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high); x 0.63 · y 0.52 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high); x 0.18 · y 0.80 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high); x 0.63 · y 0.80 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high)
Other
Studio-shot on a plain white background with even lighting and soft shadows; image framed top-down with slight perspective.
- BackgroundUniform light gray to white background with no visible texture or props.
- Shot compositionTop-down slightly angled view showing the top and upper side of each dome; all six domes fully visible and evenly spaced in a grid.
- Shadows and lightingSoft, subtle shadows appear beneath each blister tray; strong studio highlights create rectangular reflections on dome surfaces.
- Image qualitySharp focus on domes and blister trays; minor specular glare on shiny surfaces but no visible text or labels in image.
Colors
bright pink· left domes#DC4474pale sky blue· right domes#B3D4EDclear frosted gray· blister traysPackaging#ABCDE5- 02
Product
Eight glossy hemispherical putty domes arranged in two vertical columns; left column domes are bright pink, right column domes are pale blue. Each dome sits in a circular metallic foil cup with a small tab visible at the rim.
- Dome shapeEach unit is a near-perfect hemisphere with a smooth, highly reflective glossy surface and distinct rectangular specular highlights.
8 regions
x 0.14 · y 0.05 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.05 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.14 · y 0.26 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.26 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.14 · y 0.47 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.47 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.14 · y 0.69 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.69 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high) - Left-column colorLeft-column domes are a saturated pink with small surface imperfections and tiny scratches visible on some domes.
4 regions
x 0.14 · y 0.05 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.14 · y 0.26 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.14 · y 0.47 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.14 · y 0.69 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high) - Right-column colorRight-column domes are a pale, cool blue with the same glossy reflective finish and smoother visible surfaces than the pink domes.
4 regions
x 0.52 · y 0.05 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.26 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.47 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.69 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high) - Foil cupEach dome is seated in a circular metallic foil cup with a raised rim and a small rounded tab protruding from the rim at roughly the lower-center of each cup.
8 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.04 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (medium); x 0.50 · y 0.04 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (medium); x 0.12 · y 0.25 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (medium); x 0.50 · y 0.25 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (medium); x 0.12 · y 0.46 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (medium); x 0.50 · y 0.46 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (medium); x 0.12 · y 0.68 · w 0.36 · h 0.25 (medium); x 0.50 · y 0.68 · w 0.36 · h 0.25 (medium) - Surface detailSpecular reflections show rectangular studio light sources; small flecks and tiny surface cracks are visible on several pink domes near their tops.
2 regions
x 0.14 · y 0.05 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (high); x 0.14 · y 0.47 · w 0.32 · h 0.21 (medium)
Packaging
Each dome is contained in an individual circular metallic foil blister cup with a visible rim and small tab; the foil cups appear as packaging for the domes.
- Blister arrangementBlister cups are arranged in two vertical columns aligned with the domes, each cup showing a shiny metallic rim and faint radial creases.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.04 · w 0.76 · h 0.90 (low) - Foil finishRims of the cups have a reflective silvery finish with bluish tint from lighting; small rounded pull tabs are present on each cup rim.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.04 · w 0.76 · h 0.90 (low)
Other
Top-down product shot on a plain white background with soft shadows and even studio lighting producing clear specular highlights.
- Shot compositionImage is a centered, top-down (orthogonal) view showing four rows of two domes each, with ample white space around the objects.
- BackgroundUniform off-white background with very light drop shadows under each foil cup.
- LightingEven diffuse studio lighting with strong rectangular specular reflections visible on each dome.
- Image qualityImage is sharp with visible fine surface texture on domes and minimal noise.
Colors
bright pink· left domes#DC5679pale blue· right domes#ABD5F2metallic silver· foil cup rimsPackaging#C5C5C5- Dome shapeEach unit is a near-perfect hemisphere with a smooth, highly reflective glossy surface and distinct rectangular specular highlights.
- 03
Product
Ten hemispherical putty domes shown in two vertical columns; left column bright pink domes, right column pale blue domes. Each dome sits inside a shallow metallic foil blister with a visible light-blue paper or film liner and a small tab at the blister edge. Domes have smooth glossy surfaces with rectangular highlights and minor surface imperfections on the pink domes.
- ArrangementTwo neat vertical columns of hemispherical domes, five rows per column; left column pink, right column pale blue.
- Dome geometryEach item is a smooth half-sphere with a rounded top and a visible circular rim where it meets the blister cup.
- Pink dome surfaceBright pink glossy finish with multiple rectangular specular highlights and small surface cracks or particles visible on several pink domes.
5 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.04 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.22 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.40 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.58 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.76 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high) - Blue dome surfacePale sky-blue glossy finish with a single small circular specular highlight near the center of each dome; surfaces appear smoother with fewer visible defects.
5 regions
x 0.56 · y 0.04 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.22 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.40 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.58 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.76 · w 0.34 · h 0.17 (high) - Blister cup rim and linerEach dome is seated in a shallow metallic foil blister with a slightly crimped silver rim and an inner light-blue liner or film visible around the dome base; a small tab protrudes at the front edge of each blister.
- Specular highlightsRectangular bright reflections from studio lighting are visible on top of each dome, larger and more complex on the pink domes.
Packaging
Individual metallic foil blister cups visible under each dome, each with a light-blue inner liner and a small front tab; no printed text or labels visible on the packaging in this image.
- Blister formatShallow circular metallic foil blister cups formed around each dome with crimped edges.
- Inner liner colorLight-blue paper or film liner visible inside each blister around the dome base.
- Packaging text absenceNo legible printed text, branding, or barcodes are visible on the blister surfaces in this image.
Other
Product photographed on a clean white background with soft drop shadows; image is a top-down or slightly angled overhead view showing even studio lighting and consistent spacing between items.
- Background and lightingUniform white background with even studio lighting; soft gray shadows beneath each blister indicate overhead light source.
- Shot compositionCentered vertical composition with two parallel columns; consistent spacing forms a grid occupying the central third of the frame.
- Image qualityHigh resolution with clear focus on domes; no visible text to transcribe.
Colors
bright pink· left-column dome#D34565pale sky blue· right-column dome#AAD6F2metallic silver· blister rimPackaging#BDCBDDlight blue liner· blister linerPackaging#9CC9E6- 04
Product
Four hemispherical domes of putty presented in clear round blister cups; two domes are bright pink and two are light blue. Surfaces are glossy with visible reflection highlights and small surface imperfections.
- Dome geometryFour near-hemispherical domes with smooth curved tops sitting inside shallow circular cups; each dome fills most of its cup and shows a continuous rounded silhouette.
4 regions
x 0.13 · y 0.16 · w 0.35 · h 0.27 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.10 · w 0.33 · h 0.29 (high); x 0.13 · y 0.52 · w 0.35 · h 0.31 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.54 · w 0.33 · h 0.32 (high) - Surface finishHigh-gloss shiny finish on each dome with rectangular reflection patches and small scattered surface irregularities and hairline cracks visible on the pink domes.
2 regions
x 0.13 · y 0.16 · w 0.35 · h 0.27 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.10 · w 0.33 · h 0.29 (high) - Color groupingTwo domes are bright pink and placed on the left side (top and bottom); two domes are pale light blue and placed on the right side (top and bottom).
4 regions
x 0.13 · y 0.16 · w 0.35 · h 0.27 (high); x 0.13 · y 0.52 · w 0.35 · h 0.31 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.10 · w 0.33 · h 0.29 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.54 · w 0.33 · h 0.32 (high) - Visible seams on cupsEach dome sits in a transparent circular cup with a thin rim and small molded tab or notch visible on the near edge of each cup.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.34 · w 0.40 · h 0.24 (medium); x 0.53 · y 0.28 · w 0.40 · h 0.25 (medium)
Packaging
Clear shallow circular blister cups are visible holding each dome; rims and small molded tabs on the cups are observable.
- Blister cupsTransparent round plastic blister cups under each dome with visible circular rims and light internal reflections.
4 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.14 · w 0.40 · h 0.30 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.10 · w 0.42 · h 0.32 (high); x 0.12 · y 0.48 · w 0.40 · h 0.35 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.50 · w 0.42 · h 0.35 (high)
Other
Studio-style image on a bright neutral background with soft shadows under each cup; even frontal lighting produces strong specular highlights on domes.
- Background and surfacePlain off-white background with faint soft drop shadows beneath each blister cup isolating the product from the background.
- Lighting and reflectionsEven frontal lighting causing rectangular specular highlights on the domes and slight shadowing around the cup rims.
- Image framingTop-down slightly oblique arrangement showing four items in a two-by-two layout; no text or labels are visible in the image.
Colors
bright pink· pink domes#E2446Epale sky blue· blue domes#ADD9F3clear/translucent· clear plastic cupsPackaging#E44B74- Dome geometryFour near-hemispherical domes with smooth curved tops sitting inside shallow circular cups; each dome fills most of its cup and shows a continuous rounded silhouette.
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
3 threads · r/orthodontics, r/Atlanta, r/smiledirectclubReddit users have mixed but generally positive experiences with Clear Retain for DIY replacement retainers, praising affordability and comfort while noting the impression kit process can be tricky and customer service is inconsistent.
Most direct Clear Retain comments are positive about durability, affordability, and comfort, but one negative review details issues with upper impressions and refunds, and some users prefer competitors like Sporting Smiles.
Themes
Use Cases
- Replacement retainers for nighttime wear
- At-home impression kit for mail-order retainers
Watch Out For
Community Q&A
- How does the mail-order impression process work?
- Clear Retain sends an impression kit with putty; you take your own impressions, email a picture for approval, then mail them in. The kit includes extra putty for retakes.
- Are Clear Retain retainers comfortable and durable?
- Positive reports say they are comfortable on the gum line, sturdy even for grinders, and last at least a year for the cheaper option.
Compared To
vs Sporting Smiles
Some users choose Sporting Smiles for its 3D scanned impressions and ease of reordering, while others report Clear Retain's customer service is better; durability for Clear Retain is not directly compared.
vs Orthodontist-made retainers
Several users find Clear Retain retainers just as good as or more comfortable than their original orthodontist retainers and a better value.
Source Threads
Long-term Clear Retain user praises durability and explains the DIY impression process
The only small pain is that you have to do your own impressions and mail them in. They send you a kit and a box with a prepaid shipping label so you can easily ship them. Doing the impressions isn’t that hard or anything. It takes about 10 minutes tops. You have to email a picture of the impressions before mailing them so they can verify that the impressions will work. The first time I had to do the impressions over because I messed up the first ones. The kit comes with two sets of putty so you can redo if you mess up the first time like I did. If you’re worried, you can pay for two extra sets of putty just in case, but it’s really not rocket science.
u/Jasmineford123View thread →
ClearRetain highly recommended for affordable replacement retainers with easy impression kit
I HIGHLY recommend ClearRetain. They're online. They send you a little kit to do a mold, you mail it back, they send you a retainer. Fucking fantastic. Part of the process even involves you emailing them a picture of the impressions you made to make sure it's a good one. IIRC, they sent me enough putty for two attempts on top and bottom teeth each.
u/lovebylettersView thread →
ClearRetain listed as an online Essix-type retainer option that uses an impression kit
* www.clearretain.com * go through your local orthodontist/dentist These companies send you an impression kit, that they use to make your retainers.
u/haydeecmView thread →
Provenance
- Merchant Link
- https://clearretain.com/products/extra-impression-putty
- Platform
- shopify
- Updated