What happens after your impressions reach the lab
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Once your impressions reach the dental lab in Hollywood, Florida, a technician checks them, builds your appliance from a model of your bite, and ships it 14 to 28 days later. The kit itself goes out in 3 days by USPS or overnight by FedEx, and the build inside the lab takes 6 to 10 business days once your impressions clear review.
The five stages inside the lab
- Your impressions arrive and get logged against your order.
- A technician checks accuracy and either moves forward or ships you a free replacement kit at no charge.
- A model is poured and your appliance is designed to your bite, tooth shade and gum color.
- The piece is built in the USA, which takes 6 to 10 business days.
- A final check runs before it ships to you with tracking.
Why we sometimes ask for a second impression
An appliance can only be as accurate as the mold it is built from. If a tray shifted or an area did not fill in cleanly, we send a fresh kit rather than build from a mold that will not fit. There is no charge for the redo, and it usually adds under a week to the timeline.
Who actually builds your appliance
Every piece is built by hand in a dental lab in Hollywood, Florida by technicians who work from your model, your tooth shade selection and your gum color. Nothing is mass produced ahead of time. The materials and the fit are specific to the impression you sent us, which is also why the timeline runs in days rather than being available same day.
Typical timeline by stage
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Kit ships to your door | 3 days by USPS or overnight by FedEx |
| Lab reviews your impressions | 1 to 2 business days |
| Manufacturing in the USA | 6 to 10 business days |
| Total, good impressions to delivery | 14 to 28 days |
What ships with the finished piece
Your appliance arrives with care instructions and, on most orders, two sets so you always have a spare while the other is being cleaned.
Frequently asked questions
How long does manufacturing actually take
Building the appliance itself takes 6 to 10 business days once your impressions clear review. Counting the kit and shipping, the full order usually lands in 14 to 28 days.
What happens if my impression is not accurate
We stop and send a free replacement kit rather than build from a mold that will not fit. There is no charge for the redo.
Is everything actually made in the USA
Yes. Every appliance is built in a dental lab in Hollywood, Florida, not outsourced overseas.
Can I speed up the process
Rush manufacturing is available as an add on and shortens the build step. It does not remove the time your impressions spend in the mail.
Add rush manufacturing at checkout if you are on a deadline, or order an extra impression kit if you want a backup on hand. For the ordering side of things, see why people order online instead of at a dental office.
Smile Lab USA is made in the USA, with a 60 day manufacturer warranty on every appliance.