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Submitting a Stone Model / Impression Case

Step 1: Complete & Review Stone Model / Impression

Make sure to consider why you're taking an impression before beginning each time.

  • Taking a moment to do this will help make sure you capture accurate and relevant anatomy.
  • For example, if you're taking an impression on a patient to send to Specialty Appliances™ for the fabrication of an upper fixed retainer, you'll want to make sure also to take an impression of the lower arch so the patient's occlusion can be evaluated during fabrication.

Evaluate each impression before releasing your patient.

  • Once you've taken the impressions, a quick evaluation before releasing the patient will help ensure the success of the requested appliance.
  • While some types of distortions can be difficult to identify before the impression is poured in stone material, others can be relatively obvious.
  • If there are any distortions detected that may be detrimental to the fabrication of the appliance, please contact our customer support department.
  • We're happy to review photos of these stone model distortions and discuss a plan of action with you.

Step 2: Complete Rx

There are two ways that you can obtain a physical Specialty Appliances prescription sheet:

Printable

  • Visit your Customer Portal to access all of our digital prescription sheets.

Step 3: Package Models or Impressions

Use the instructions below to properly package your items based on what you're sending to us.

Standard Alginate Impressions

  1. Disinfect the impressions, wrap each impression in a wet paper towel, and place in a sealable plastic bag. Add 2 tablespoons of water to each plastic bag containing an impression.
  2. Identify the impressions by writing the patient and doctor's names on the outside of the bag using a permanent marker.
  3. Place the bag in a separate, sealable bag before sending it to the lab.
    • This double-bagging process ensures the alginate material maintains its maximum accuracy.
  4. Disinfect all other items and place them in a separate plastic bag.
    • Identify the items by writing the patient and doctor's names on the plastic bag with a permanent marker.
    • Do not include the Rx sheet with impressions or other disinfected items in the bag.
  5. Fold the Rx sheet and place it in the shipping box.
Submit a Stone Model Impression Specialty Appliances

Algimax® / Kromopan® 100 Impressions:

  1. Disinfect the impressions and place them in a plastic bag.
  2. Identify the impressions by writing the patient and doctor's names on the outside of the bag using a permanent marker.
  3. Disinfect all other items and place them in a separate plastic bag.
    • Identify the items by writing the patient and doctor's names on the plastic bag with a permanent marker.
    • Do not include the Rx sheet with impressions or other disinfected items in the bag.
  4. Fold the Rx sheet and place it in the shipping box.

Plaster / Stone Models

  1. Disinfect the models.
  2. Identify models by writing the patient and doctor names on the bottom of each model with a permanent marker.
  3. Wrap each model in bubble wrap to prevent damage during shipping.
    • Make sure all surfaces of the model are protected by at least 2 layers of bubble wrap.
    • Secure bubble wrap around models using a rubber band. Please DO NOT wrap models together.
  4. Disinfect all other items and place in a separate plastic bag.
    • Identify the items by writing the patient and doctor's names on the plastic bag with a permanent marker.
    • Do not include the Rx sheet with impressions or other disinfected items in the bag.
  5. Fold the Rx sheet and place in the shipping box.

Note: We recommend using a hospital-grade disinfectant such as CaviCide™.

Step 4: Ship Package

Prepaid USPS Mailing Labels

Specialty Appliances™ supplies postage-paid U.S. Postal Service First Class mailing labels for our customers' convenience. Simply print as many of these mailing labels as you may need and affix the label securely to the box so it does not come off during transit.

Other Carriers

We know that some of our customers have existing accounts with other mail carriers. If you use your own account, you will be charged a reduced shipping charge since we're only returning the case to you.

If you would prefer to use another carrier, feel free to do so; however, please make sure to use our street address (below) rather than the address on our prepaid mailing label:

Specialty Appliances
4905 Hammond Industrial Drive
Cumming, GA
30041

Submit Stone Model Impression Specialty Appliances

More Info

Shipping & Handling Costs

We try to minimize your shipping charges by underwriting a portion of the costs. Our shipping charges are based on the number of cases we receive in one shipment and on whether or not you use the prepaid mailing labels we provide to you.

Lower charges apply when we receive more than one case in a box. We offer different size boxes depending on the number of cases you normally ship to us.

To request boxes, please call Customer Service at 1-800-LAB INFO (1-800-522-4636) or complete a supply request form. Please remember that you minimize shipping charges when shipping multiple cases in one box.

Communication

If, at any point during this process, we decide that we need additional clarification or information about a case, we will use the information on the prescription sheet to contact you for review. This is why it is very important that the contact number and email address provided on the Rx are accurate.

Cases on Hold & Case Status Information

If we're unable to get our questions or concerns resolved from our initial contact with your office, your case will be placed "on hold."

We will make additional attempts to contact you about your cases, including daily emails listing any of your cases that are on hold. If you'd like to change the address that these emails go to, please contact our customer service department!

Customer Portal

Your Customer Portal is a convenient tool that you can use to do many things, like viewing statements, bill payments, and checking case status!