A novel system for discerning pressure points in mouthpieces, namely
orthodontic aligners. The system includes the steps of applying a colored
gel to a light transmissive or clear mouthpiece-type aligner, mounting
the aligner to the upper and/or lower teeth of the patient, and observing
through the mouthpiece color variations generated by variations in gel
density, wherein pressure points are indicated as lighter colors due to
less gel density and spaces are indicated as deeper color, due to higher
density of the colored gel. In an alternative embodiment a second gel
incorporating rupturable spheres incorporating a second composition is
utilized in the present system such that pressure upon the gel releases
the second composition, which would be formulated to combine with the
first gel and result in a color change, either due to a chemical
reaction, or due to a mixing of two colors to produce an identifying
color.