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DENTAL WAXES

 INTRODUCTION
 TERMINOLOGY
 COMPOSITION OF WAXES
 CLASSIFICATION OF WAXES
 PROPERTIES OF WAXES
 DENTAL WAXES

I) Pattern Waxes
Inlay Wax
Casting Wax
Resin pattern
Base Plate Wax
II) Processing Wax
Boxing Wax
Carding Wax
Utility Wax
Sticky Wax
White Wax
Black Out Wax
III) Impression Waxes
Corrective impression waxes
Bite registration waxes

 Conclusion
 References

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DENTAL WAXES

INTRODUCTION
Polymers and metals are the basic foundation stone of prosthodontics. Waxes
are basically organic polymers which show thermo plastic property. The oldest
record about the use of waxes in dentistry reveals that they were used as
impression materials. Later, due to their favorable properties they have
established their existence in dentistry with wide range application. They are
commonly used to prepare patterns (for inlays, onlays, pontics, full and partial
dentures), bite registration, during processing of prosthesis, and making of
impression. Waxes are basically thermoplastic materials, which are normally
solids at room temperature and melt on heating without decomposition, to form
mobile liquids.

Terminology: According to J.Prosthet dent. 84(1), 48-106, 1999

1. Wax: is one of the several esters of fatty acids with higher alcohol's
usually monohybrid alcohols. Dental waxes are various types of waxes
compounded to provide desired physical properties.
2. Pattern: A form used to make a mold to be cast.
3. Fats: Substance similar to wax but characterized as being soft and greasy
to touch. They are esters of fatty acids with glycerol.
4. Gum: Viscous substances from plant or animal sources that harden in air.
5. Resin: Solid/ semisolid amorphous natural substances which usually are
transparent or translucent and brown to yellow, found frequently in plant
secretion: are soluble in varnishes, inks, plastics and medicine, and are
found in many dental impression materials.

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Dental waxes are obtained by blending, different ingredients. They chiefly

contain:

1. Waxes- natural (or) synthetic.

2. Resin- natural (or) synthetic
3. Fats, oils, fatty acids.
4. Gum
5. Other ingredients

The optimum required properties are attained by bending of waxes, resins and
other ingredients.

Natural Waxes

They are hydrocarbon/ hydrocarbon derived polymer weight of 400 – 4,000. they
may be mineral, plant, insect (or) animal origin.

I. Mineral Wax
They are derived from distillation of petroleum. They contain principally
hydrocarbons with more than 17-34 carbon atoms, commonly used mineral
waxes are:

Paraffin Wax:
It is obtained from high boiling point fraction of petroleum (refined crude
oil). It is a soft wax with low melting range of 40-71 C. it is a mixture of straight
chain saturated hydrocarbon, which tend to crystallize as needles and plates. As
the temperature of the wax is raised there is a solid- solid transition point. Where
change of orthorhombic lattice form to hexagonal form occurs. The melting range

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of paraffin wax is changed by varying its molecular weight ( molecular weight

  melting range), addition of oils ( melting range).

It cannot be used alone due to the following drawbacks. It tends to flake when
trimmed, do not present smooth and glossy surface, brittle at low temperatures.

Microcrystalline waxes:
It is similar to paraffin wax, except that they are obtained from the heavier
oil fraction in the petroleum industry, due to which they have high melting points (
60 –90 C). is a branched chain hydrocarbon of 41-50 carbon atoms. It
crystallizes as small plates. It is more tough, more flexible than paraffin wax. It
shows affinity for oils, less volumetric change during solidification. When it is
added to paraffin, causes raise in melting point, decrease brittleness of paraffin
wax.

Barsnsdahl wax:
It is a type of micro crystalline wax, which is added to paraffin wax to
increase its melting range and hardness. Its melting range is 70-74 C.

Ozokerite Wax:
It is an earth wax, which is similar to micro crystalline wax. It is composed
of straight and branched- chain hydro carbons. It has great affinity to oils. When
added ( 5 – 15 %) to paraffin wax cause raise of melting range of 54 C.

Cerasin Wax:
It is a term used to describe waxes from wax bearing distillates from
natural mineral petroleum refining/ lignite refining. It poses straight & branched
chain paraffin (High molecular weight), with increased hardness and increased
melting range. It improves toughness and carving characteristics of paraffin wax.

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Montan Wax:
It is obtained from extraction of various lignite's. though it is a mineral wax, it
behaves as a plant wax. It contains a large amount of esters. It is hard brittle,
lustrous and blend with other waxes. It is used as substitute for plant wax and
added to paraffin for improving its hardness and melting range.

II Plant Wax:
These are derived from trees and plants. Plant waxes are basically
hydrocarbons (saturated alkenes) with 19:31 carbon atoms.

Carnauba wax:
It is composed of straight chain, alcohols, acids and hydrocarbons,
carbons wax consists of 85% alkyl casters. It is characterized by high hardness,
brittleness and high melting range ( 84-91 C). It is derived from fine powder on
leaves of certain tropical palms.
It is added to paraffin to decrease the flow at mouth temperature. When
10% of caranauba wax is added to paraffin it increase melting temperature to
46C. it has an agreeable odor and contributes to glossiness of wax surface.

Ouricury Wax:
It's composition is similar to carnauba wax. It has high melting range (84-
91% C ) when it is added to paraffin wax the effects observed are similar to those
produced by carnauba wax when added to paraffin. But it is less effective than
carnauba wax.

Candelilla wax:
It contains 40- 60% paraffin hydrocarbons with 29 –33 carbon atoms
accompanied with free alcohols, acids, esters and lactones. It's melting range is
68 – 75  C. it can be used as an alternative to carnauba wax. It mainly increases
the hardness of wax.

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Japan Wax:
It contains glycerides of palmitic and stearic acid and high molecular weight
acids. It is tough malleable and sticky material that melts at 51C. when mixed
with paraffin, it improves the tackiness and emulsifying ability.

Coco butter:
It is basically a fat and contain glycerides of stearic, palmatic, oleic, lauric and
lower fatty acids. It is brittle substance at room temperature. It is mainly used to
prevent, dehydration of soft tissues and glass ionomers.

III. Insect waxes:

Bees Wax: Bees wax is derived from honeycombs, consists of a partially
crystalline natural polyester.
It consists of complex mixtures of esters. Principally myricyl palmitate
(produced by reaction of myricryl alcohol and palmitic acid). It also contains of
hydrocarbons and high molecular weight organic acids. It is brittle at room
temperature it modifies the properties of paraffin wax. It is the main constituent of
sticky wax.

IV. Animal Waxes:

Spermaceti Wax:
It is obtained from sperm whale. It composed of mainly esters, used
commonly to coat dental floss.

Synthetic Wax
They are complex organic compounds of varied chemical composition.
They differ chemically from natural waxes but show same physical properties.
They show high degree of refinement / purity in composition.

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Polyethylene wax:
It is a polymer with molecular weight of 2000 – 4000 and a melting range of 100 -
105C. they posses properties similar to high molecular weight paraffin wax.

Polyoxyethylene Wax:
It is a polymer of ethylene glycol, with a melting temperature of 37- 63 C.
they have limited compatibility with other wax, but do function as plasticizer and
tend to toughen the film of wax.
Halogenated hydrocarbon wax:
It is prepared by reacting natural wax with chlorine.
Hydrogenated wax:
It is prepared by reacting natural wax with hydrogen.
Resins
They are complex anomalous mixtures of organic substance that are
characterized by specific physical behavior rather than, by a definite chemical
composition. They are separate group of substances, which resemble to wax in
some aspects like appearance and properties. They may be of natural/synthetic
origin.

1. Natural resins:
They are derived from exudates of many species of trees and other
plants. They are relatively insoluble in water, but show increased solubility,
inorganic solvents. Commonly found natural resins are: dammar resin, rosin,
copal resin, sandrac, mastic, shellac, kauri.

Dammar resin is added to paraffin wax to improve smoothness in molding

and render it more resistant to cracking and flaking. It increases the toughness,
smoothness and luster of finished surface.
Natural resins are compatible with waxes. Most of natural resins are
derived from plants, except shellac which is derived from insects.

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Copal is a brittle natural resin. Which has melting range well above 149 0
C but when deposited as a film, it serves as a liner on prepared cavities.
11. Synthetic resins:
polyethylene and vinyl resins are added to paraffin wax to improve its
toughness, film forming characteristics, and melting range.
Fats
Fats are composed of esters of various fatty acids with glycerol and are known
as glycerides. They are similar to waxes as both are tasteless, odorless,
colorless and greasy in nature.

Glycerol tristerate:-
Is a chief ingredient of beef tallow, with a melting temperature of 43 0C. it
is has a lustrous appearance firm & slightly greasy. It is added to waxes to
increase the melting range and hardness.
Other examples are: Glycerides of stearic acid, mixed glycerides of oleic, palmitic
and butyric acids found in butter.
Oils
They have a pronounced effect on melting temperature of wax (decreases the
melting temperature). Hydrocarbon oils are used to soften mixtures of waxes,
silicone oils are added in was to improve ease of polishing.
Gum
It is a viscous amorphous liquid exudates from plants which harden or exposure
to air. It is a mixture containing largely of carbohydrates. When dissolved in
water form sticky viscous liquids. Most of the Gums (except gum arabica and
tragacantha) resemble waxes obtained from plant and animals in appearance.
They are added to paraffin was to increase smoothness and resistance to
cracking and flaking.

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CLASSIFICATION
Dental waxes are classified according to their application as:-
1) Pattern waxes.
2) processing waxes.
3) Impression waxes.

1) Pattern waxes, used prepare the pattern of planned prosthesis. They include
- Inlay waxes – Type I, Type II
- Resin
- Casting wax
- Base plate wax - Type I
- Type II
- Type III

2) Processing waxes:
They are used during the intermediate steps of processing a prosthesis. They
include.
- Boxing wax - Block out wax
- Sticky wax - White wax
- Carding wax - Utility wax

3) Impression waxes: They are used for denture impression and are limited to
use in edentulous region of mouth. They include corrective impression waxes
and bite registration waxes.
CHARACTERISTIC PROPERTIES OF WAXES:

Waxes exhibit important properties which affect the final accuracy of

prosthesis. They exhibit melting range, flow, ductility and other mechanical
properties.

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Melting range
Waxes exhibit melting range rather than melting point because, they
contain both crystalline and amorphous components, each having a range of
molecular weight distribution. When two different was are mixed an intermediate
melting range is observed, which depends on the individual percentage
composition of waxes mixed.
Use of waxes with different elastic modulus is advised for different parts of
pattern. So occlusal surface is prepared using soft green wax and proximal
surface using inlay wax.
Carnauba wax show decrease in proportional limit from 11-5.5 mps (in
230-370 C0 range).
Inlay Casting wax show decrease in proportional limit from 48 – 0.2 mpa,
and decrease in compressive strength 83 – 0.5 mpa (in 23 0 C-370 C0 range).
Flow:
The property of flow results from slippage of molecules over each other.
Flow is directly dependent on temperature of wax. Mineral waxes show 50% flow
at 200 C below the melting range due to weak secondary forces. But the plant to
strong secondary bonds.
Yellow bees wax shows extensive flow at 24 0 C below it melting range and
display an 80 C temperature difference between 1% and 70% flow. This is due to
high amount of impurities in bees wax has low amount of impurities so the flow
temperature is near its melting range.
In case of pattern waxes the direct inlay wax should show high flow at a
temperature slightly above the mouth temperature.
The flow is also influenced by presence of solid-solid and melting
transformations that occur in the component wax.

Residual stress;
Regardless of the method used to prepare a wax pattern, residual stress
exists in the completed pattern. This can be demonstrated by comparing

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dimensional change on heating annealed inlay wax patterns and that of waxes
formed under compression and tension.
They are prepared by holding the softened wax under compression during
cooling, followed by determination of thermal expansion. The extent of deviation
from the curve for the annealed wax is a function of magnitude of residual stress.
The deviation can be observed as a shaded area rather than curve (as seen in
annealed specimen).
When wax specimen is subjected to tensile stress, during cooling,
followed by determination of thermal expansion. The shaded are is formed
below the curve for annealed specimen. Which means on heating this specimen
contraction occurs.
Under compression of wax during cooling the atoms and molecules are
forced closer together and set in the strained position. Once the material is set,
the motion of stressed atoms and molecules is restricted. When it is heated
again without any load the strained atom try returning to their original position.
This causes expansion of wax under tensile stress the atoms are pull apart and
set. When they are reheated the wax shows contraction.
Ductility:
Waxes with lower melting temperature have a greater ductility at any given
temperature them those with higher melting temperatures.
Ductility increases as the temperature of wax is increased. In case of
blended wax the ductility depends on range of component. When wide melting
range components are present, the blended wax show high ductility than a wax
with narrow range of components. In wide range components, as the
temperature is raised the component with lowest melting range softens first and
plasticize the entire wax and thereby enhance ductility. This not possible with
narrow range blended waxes. The presence of occluded oils in waxes lead to
increase the ductility.
DENTAL WAXES:
A variety of natural waxes and resins have been used in dentistry for
specific and well defined application. In some instances, the most focusable

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qualities can be obtained from a single was (Ex – bees wax), but more often a
blend of several waxes is necessary to develop the most desirable properties.
Dental waxes are classified as pattern was processing was impression wax.

PATTERN WAXES
They are used to prepare pattern of artificial prosthesis/restoration which
is later to subjected casting procedure. A pattern wax has two major qualities,
thermal change in dimension and tendency to warp / distort on standing.

Ideal requirements of pattern waxes:

1. The wax pattern must conform to the exact size, shape and contour of the
appliance which is to be constructed.
2. No dimensional change should take place in the wax pattern once it has
been formed.
3. After formation of the casting mold, it should be possible to remove the
wax by boiling out/burning without leaving a residue.

The wax pattern formed defines the shape and size of the resulting appliance
and is eventually replaced by either a polymer / alloy. The wax patterns are
prepared using two techniques:
a. Direct technique: The wax is directly adapted, shaped on the cavity
prepared on tooth in oral cavity. Used to prepare wax pattern for
Inlay.
b. Indirect technique: The wax pattern is prepared on the model which
is obtained using Impression procedure. The whole process is
done outside the oral cavity.
Properties of pattern wax leading to dimensional inaccuracy
1. Pattern waxes contract on cooling
2. Patter waxes have a tendency for flow.
3. regardless of any method used, a prepared wax pattern contains residual /
Internal stress.

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4. Pattern waxes are affected by exposure to environment for longer

duration.
5. Pattern waxes manifest recovery (memory) phenomenon.

Different types of pattern waxes are:-

- Inlay wax - Casting wax
- Resin patters - Base plate wax

Inlay pattern wax

Inlay pattern wax is used to prepare wax pattern of Inlays, onlays, crown, bridge
and post and core.
Composition:
The essential ingredients of a successful inlay wax are:-
1) Paraffin wax: 40 – 60 wt%. It does not present a smooth, glossy surface
and tend to flake on trimming. It is the main ingredient.
2) Gum dammar/dammar resin: It increases smoothness, flake resistance
and toughens paraffin.
3) Carnauba (25%) Due to high melting range, it decreases flow at mouth
temperature. It also imparts glossiness of wax.
4) Candelilla wax: used to replace carnauba wax.
5) Ceresin (10% 0 replaces part of paraffin to improve toughness and carving
characteristics of wax pattern,
6) Bees wax (5%)
7) Resins (1%): They affect the flow characteristics.
Types of Inlay wax: ADA specification No.4 – classifies dental inlay wax as two
categories:-
1) Type I (medium wax) – used for direct technique. They certain high
melting point paraffin’s.
2) Type II (soft wax) – used in Indirect technique. They contain low melting
point paraffin’s.

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Ideal requirements of Inlay waxes:-

1) When softened, the wax should be uniform.
2) The color should be such that it contrasts with die material/prepared tooth.
3) There should no be any flaking / surface roughness, when wax is bent and
molded after softening.
4) After the wax pattern has solidified, it is necessary to carve the original
tooth anatomy. The wax should not chip when it is carved.
5) During the burnout. The wax should the completely eliminated by
oxidation of carbon to volatiles gases. ADA specification No.4 states that
when Inlay wax is vaporized at 500 0 C, it should not have solid residue
more than 0.10% of original weight of specimen.
6) The wax pattern formed should be rigid and dimensionally stable.

Properties of Inlay waxes:-

ADA specification No.4:
Type of Inlay 300 C 370 C 400 C 450 C
Main Max Main Max
wax
1) Type I 1.0% - 20% 70% 90%
2) Type II 1% - 50% - 70% 90%

In lay wax exhibits a marked plasticity / flow at a temperature slightly above

that of the mouth.
The wax begins to harden at approximately 56 0 C, the point at which the
curve departs from a straight line and it is solid below 40 0 C when it cools at a
constant state. They do not solidify with a space lattice, but instead as a
combination of crystalline / amorphous materials displaying limited ordering of
the materials.
The maximum flow permitted for type 1 at 37 0 C (1%), low flow at this
temperature permits carving and removal of pattern from prepared cavity at oral
temperature without distortion.

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Both type I and Type II must have a minimum flow of 70% at 45 0 C and a
maximum flow of 90%. At this temperature sufficient flow is needed to insert wax
into fine details of prepared cavity.

Thermal properties:
They show low thermal conductivity and time is required both to heat them
uniformly and to cool them. They exhibit high co-efficient of thermal expansion.
The wax may show 0.7% expansion with a raise of temperature by200 0 C and
0.35% contraction when cooled from 37 0 C to 250 C. The average linear co-
efficient of thermal expansion is 350 x 10 -6 /C. this property of wax affects the
accuracy of pattern when prepared by direct technique (using type I wax ) due to
change in temperature from oral cavity to room temperature. The glass transition
temperature of inlay wax is 35 0 C, is purely due to paraffin. Above this
temperature wax behaves as plastic material, because this temperature acts as a
transition point of solid crystalline transformation.
This glass transition temperature is not pronounced, when the wax is
cooled under pressure / retention of high qualities of gases and solvents, which
remain under compression. The entrapped gas in wax expands on reheating,
causing a pronounced expansion as the was becomes sufficiently plastic to flow.
Wax distortion:
Dimensional stability of wax pattern is the most ideal requirement
needed. But some amount of distance is seen due to thermal changes and
release of stress (arising from contraction on cooling, occluded, air, change of
shape during molding, carving, removal and time, temperature during storage).

Waxes like other thermoplastics show elastic memory due to which

they tend to return to their original shape after manipulation. To prevent the effect
of elastic memory an dimensional accuracy of final casting the wax pattern
should be invested immediately / stored for no more than 30 minutes. Elastic
memory is mainly seen due to incorporation of residual stress which are released
on reheating.

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Manipulation of inlay wax:

Manipulation of inlay wax should be done on dry heat rather than water
bath, to prevent inclusion of water droplets into wax, smearing the wax surface
during polishing, and distortion of pattern during thermal changes.
Direct pattern:
Inlay wax stick is softened over a flame until it shiny and then it is
removed. The process is repeated till it is warm throughout. It is then Kneaded
and shaped to the prepared cavity. Type I wax has adequate plasticity in a
temperature range safely resisted by pulp. Apply pressure using finger / ask
patient to bite on wax. It is cooled gradually at mouth temperature before removal
a hook / staple is inserted into the pattern and using a floss passing through it.
Pattern is pulled in direction parallel to axial walls. The pattern should not be
touched with fingers once it is removed from the oral cavity, this prevents any
temperature changes.
Before flowing the wax die should be coated with a layer of die spacer after it
sets a layer of wetting agent (with lubricant) is to be applied for lubrication. The
wax is melted on flame and it is added in layers over the cavity. Overfill the
cavity, later the wax is carved to proper contours. Extreme care should be taken
to prevent abrading any margin surface of die during trimming if wax. A silk cloth
can be used for final polishing of wax.
Wax oxidize on heating and with prolong heating some of the wax is
evaporated. This leads to precipitation of gum deposits and darkening of wax. So
when bath are used care should be taken to maintain lowest possible
temperature.
Casting wax
Casting wax is used to prepare pattern for the metallic framework of
removable partial dentures and other similar structures.
Little is known of exact composition of these sheet and shaped waxes, but
they include ingredient, similar to those found in inlay wax. They contain various
proportions of paraffin, ceresin, bees wax, resins and other waxes.

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They are available as sheets of 28-30 gauge (0.4-0.32 mm) thickness,

ready made shapes (round, half round, half per shaped rod) wires of various
gauges of approximately 10cm length.
Physical characteristics:
There is no ANSI/ADA specification for these casting waxes, but federal
specification has been formulated, that includes the values for softening
temperature, amount of flow at various temperature, amount of flow at various
temperatures, general working qualities and other characteristics.
The desired characteristics of casting wax are certain degree of toughness,
strength, minimal dimension change with change in temperature, complete
vaporization during wax burnout.

Summary of requirements of federal specification of dental casting waxes.

Type of wax Flow Breaking Working properties
point
Casting wax. 35C No fracture - Pliable and readily
Class A  28 max At 23C + adaptable at 40-45C
gauge, pink 10% 1C. - Copies accurately against
38C  which it is pressed.
Class B  30 min- - Will not be brittle on cooling
Gauge, green 60% - Vaporizes at 500C, leaving
Class C  ready no film other than carbon.
made shapes,
blue

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The pattern of removable partial denture framework is constructed on

scaled to an investment cast (from which it is not separated subsequently) at
room temperature, there is little need for the casting wax, to exhibit low flow at
body temperature (38 C – 60% flow).
The casting waxes should posses high ductility. Federal specification state
that at 23C when wax is bent double on itself it should bend without fracture and
at 40-45C the wax should be pliable and readily adaptable. Heating over a flame
compression of wax is not advised as it causes change in thickness of wax.
These waxes show slight degree of tackiness, which help to maintain their
position on cast, but this is not sufficient to resist elastic recovery of wax. So wax
in final position should be sealed to investment cast using hot spatula.
Casting Wax
They are used to establish minimum thickness, in certain areas of partial
denture framework such as palatal and lingual bar, to produce desired contours,
can be used for post damming of complete maxillary denture impressions,
checking high points on articulation, producing wax bites.
Resin modeling material
They are used to fabricate patterns for cast metal (or) ceramic inlay, crown
and bridges and precision attachments. They may be of self cure / light cure
variety.
Composition:
They are available as low and highly viscous pastes and as liquid for
fabrication of pattern. They use camphoroquinone as light activator.

Modeling pastes
- Diurethane dimethacrylate oligomers.
- Fillers polyurethane dimethacrylate (40-50%)
(Or)
Poly (methyl methacrylate)
Liquid
Urethane dimethacrylate

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Properties:
Modeling resins are characterized by lower heat of polymerization
and shrinkage than acrylics, higher strength and resistance to flow than waxes.
Good dimensional stability and burnout without residue. Dimethacrylate pattern
resins do not result in cracked investment from heating during burnout. Which
can occur with acrylic patterns.
When different resin modeling materials were tested to evaluate the
marginal discrepancies for full crown and inlay.
Pattern material Full crown Inlay
Inlay wax (type II) 11 15
Light cure resin A 10 8
Light cure resin B 12 9
Self – cured acrylics 15 7

For full crowns the marginal discrepancy found is similar for Inlay and light
– cure resins. But for Inlays the resins patterns show less discrepancy than
waxes.
Manipulation of pattern resins:
Gypsum and resin dies must be treated with a separator and have
undercuts blocked out. They are brightly pigmented, good dimensional stability
and convenient to use. The powder and liquid are painted on the die/ tooth in
layers and allowing to polymerize. After polymerization, the pattern is modified
using stone and bur they need considerably longer burnout time light – cure
resins.
The modeling resin is applied in layers 3 – 5 mm thick. With each layer
curing chamber for 90 seconds / by using a hand, light curing unit for 20 – 40
seconds / area of irradiation.
The liquid material is used first to obtain close adaptation to the die and
last to provide a smooth surface. Complete lamination of modeling resins occur
between 6700 – 6900 C and requires 45 min.

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Base plate wax

This wax derives its name from its use on baseplate tray to establish
vertical dimension, plane of occlusion and initial arch form in the technique for
complete denture restoration.
Composition:
1) Paraffin (or) ceresin based waxes – 70% - 80%
2) Bees wax – 12%
3) Natural / synthetic resins – 3%
4) Microcrystalline / synthetic wax – 2.5%
They are supplied as pink / red color sheets of 7.60% 15.00%x0.13cm 3
dimensions.

Physical properties:- According ADA specification No. 24 they are classified as

3 types
Type 1 (soft wax)
Type 2 (Hard wax)
Type 3 (Extra hard wax)

Requirements of Dental Baseplate wax

Temperature Flow % Practical
Main Max Requirement
Type 1 – soft wax 23 - 1.0 - Softened sheets shall
used to build 37 5.0 90.0 cohere readily without
contours and 45 - - becoming flaky (or)
veneers adhering to fingers.
Type 2 – Hand wax 23 - 0.6 - Trim easily with a
used to prepare 37 - 10.0 sharp instrument at 230 C
patterns in mouth, 45 50.0 90.0 - Smooth, glossy
temperate weather. surface after gentle flaming

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Type 3 – Extra hand 23 - 0.2 - No residue on

wax used to 37 - 1.2 porcelain (or)
Prepare patterns in 45 5.0 50.0 - Plastic teeth coloring
mouth, hot climate shall not separate (or)
impregnate plaster during
processing.
- No adhesion to other
sheets of wax/separating
paper on storage.

The maximum flow allowed at any given temperature decreases rapidly

from type 1 type 3. the flow requirements of type 3 is comparable with type 2
Inlay wax, with less, flow allowed for the baseplate wax at 45 0 C.

The dimensional stability of wax is not as critical as In lay wax unless it

maintains the normal tooth arrangement with good occlusion. But some variation
in dimension can be expected with raise in temperature. The linear thermal
expansion between 260 C to 400 C should be less than 0.8%.

Baseplate wax should be easily trimmed with a sharp instrument at 33 0 C

and should yield a smooth surface after gentle flaming. There is residual stress
within baseplate wax that holds and surrounds the teeth of a wax denture
pattern. This stress results from differential cooling, ‘pooling’ the wax with a ---
spatula, and physically manipulating the wax below its most desirable waxing
temperature. The time and temperature affect the relief of the residual stress.
The waxed denture should not be allowed to stand for longer periods of time,
especially when subjected to flasking soon after completing to maintain the
greatest accuracy of tooth release.

Uses:-

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1) Used in processing of denture – preparation wax spaces, preparation of

occlusal rims – establish vertical dimension, occlusal plane, tooth
arrangement.
2) Patterns for orthodontic appliances and prosthesis other than complete
dentures.

PROCESSING WAXES

Boxing wax:
Boxing is a procedure employed for pouring of impression. This
procedure involves usage of a long narrow stick/strip of wax (beading) around
the impression 3-4m below its peripheral height, followed by adapting a wide strip
of boxing wax on to the beading wax, providing a form around the entire
impression. Later the boxed impression is poured using plaster / stone.

In some instances carding wax (which is used as a base material on which

porcelain tooth are fixed) has been advised to be used for boxing an impression.

Requirement of federal specification for boxing wax:

1) They should produce a smooth, glossy surface on flaming.
2) It should be pliable at 210 C and retain shape at 350 C.
3) Seals easily to plaster with hot spatula.
Due to their high ductility and flow at lower temperature, they do not
distort the impression materials which are viscoelastic in nature. In general
boxing wax should be slightly tacky and have sufficient strength an toughness for
convenient manipulation.

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Utility wax
This wax is used for many tasks which need individual modification
of armamentarium.
Utility Wax supplied as dark red orange sheet, strips. Their flow at 37.5 0 C(55 % -
80 %). They should be pliable at 21 0 - 240, tacky at 210 - 240 and show sufficient
adhesion to build up.
They probably contain beeswax, petroleum and other soft waxes in
varying properties.

Use: They mainly behave as adhesion wax.

1) Adjusting of contour pf perforated tray to be used for alginate impression.
This prevents distortion impression material.
2) Used on lingual portion of a bridge pontic to stabilize it while plaster splint
is poured.

Sticky wax

Composition : sticky wax contains

1) Yellow beeswax – major constituent

2) Rosin
3) Gum dummar

Properties :
1) Flow - 300 max 5%
430 – min 90%
2) Should be sticky when melted and adhere closely to the surfaces to the
surfaces on which it is applied. But a room temperature wax is firm, free
from tackiness and brittle.
3) Not more than 0.2% residue on burnout.

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4) Not more than 0.5 % shrinkage from 43 0 – 270. This is important to prevent
displacement of structure stabilized using this wax.
5) Federal specification no U- W 001490 – sticky wax should have a dark /
vivid color so that it is readily distinguished from light colored gypsum
materials.
Use:
1) It is used to fixed temporary positioning of metallic parts during investment
soldering.
2) Used to stabilized broken dentistry is taking impression within the mouth.
Because wax formulated for use as an impression material exhibits high
flow and ductility, it distorts readily when with drawn from undercut areas.
Therefore the use of wax has been limited to the non-undercut edentulous
areas of mouth. They are also used for bite registration.
Corrective impression wax :
The basic requirements of any impression wax should have a high degree
of plastic deformation at mouth temperature. One of the commercially available
impression wax it is available as 4 grades.
1) Extra hard no-1(pink) – used as reinforcing material, used only on the
external surface to support wax extension beyond try margin.
2) Hand no-2(yellow)- used to rebasing as a hand foundation for korecta wax
no3 and 4 when extensive alveolar resorption necessitates a bulk of
material. Also used to restore occlusion in a partial denture (or) a
removable bridge which has settled to severe tissue change.
3) Soft no3 (red) – used for minor tray corrections and as an initial lining to
stabilize tray.
4) Extra soft no 4 (orange) - used to secure a completely adapted
impression under natural pressure. It leaves a finished surface and
register time details.
This waxes register the mucosa and underlying tissue in a functional state.

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They are formulated using paraffin, ceresin and beeswax and may contain
some metal particles.
The flow of individual korecta wax at 370
Korecta 1 - 3%
Korecta 2 - 80 %
Korecta 3 - 85 %
Korecta 4 - 90 %

Flow also varies depending on the % composition ratio between paraffin and
bees wax.
At 370
75 % yellow bees wax : 25% paraffin wax – 80% flow
50 % yellow bees wax : 50% paraffin wax – 85 % flow
25 % yellow bees wax : 75 % paraffin wax – 89 % flow
These waxes are subjected to distortion during removal from the mouth.
Bite registration wax :-
It is used to accurately articulate certain models of opposing quadrants.
Bite registration can be done using 28 gauge casting wax sheets / from hard
baseplate wax.
Specially designed bite registration waxes contain, bees wax /
hydrocarbons wax such as paraffin / ceresin. Some may continue aluminum /
copper particle.
Flow of bite wax at 310 C range from 2.5 – 22 % - so they are susceptible to
distortion during removal.

REFERENCES :

1) Craig RG, O' Brein WJ, Powers LM Dental materials, Properties and
manipulation, 11th ed, ST Louis: Cr Mosby, 2002, 424 – 448.

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2) William J. O' Brien, Dental Materials and their selection, 2 nd cd,

Quintessence Publishing Co., Inc., 1997, 147 – 150.
3) Mc Cabe EC, A. W.G. Walls, Applied dental materials, 8 th ED, Black Well
science, 36 –40.
4) Combe EC, Notes on Dental materials 5th ed, Chur, Livingston 1986, 313
– 317.
5) Greener. E.H., Material Science in Dentisty Pg No. 299 – 305.
6) Kenneth J. Ausavice, et al. Phillip Science of Dental material, 10 th ed
W.B.Sund Co., 461-469.
7) Randa Diwan et al, Pattern waxes and inaccuracies in fixed and
removable partial denture castings. J. Prosthet dent 1997, 77 – 553 –5.
8) Mc Crorie., Corrective Impression waxes. BDJ 1982, 152 : 95.
9) Mc Crorie, Dental modeling wax, A new approach to formulation Britt.
Dent. J. 1972, 132, 184.
10)Council on Dental Materials and devices – New American Dental
association specification. No. 24 for baseplate wax adopted JADA vol 82
March 1971.
11)The new Lexicon websters dictionary.

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