WAXES

Presented By: Hafsa Haq

Shiza Shah
2nd Year BDS
Learning Objectives
• Requirements
• Composition of waxes
• Properties
• Classification of waxes
• Types and uses of different waxes in
dentistry
What are waxes?

“Thermoplastic materials which are

solid at room temperature but melt,
without decomposition, to form
mobile liquids.”
Requirements of Wax-pattern
Materials
• Must conform to the exact size, shape
and contour of the appliance.
• Should be able to record details on
flow.
Requirements Cont…

• Dimensionally stable.
• Must not leave any residue when the
wax is eliminated from the mould.
Composition/Origin of Waxes
Origin Ingredients Melting Range
Carnuaba wax 60-65 °C
Plant Candelilla wax 65-68 °C
Cocoa butter 33-34 °C
Natural Paraffin wax 48-70 °C
Mineral
Microcrystalline wax 63-93° C
Animal Spermaceti 40-50 °C
Insect Bees wax 62-65°C
Polyethylene 120-130 °C
Synthetic
Polypropylene 130-171 °C
Oil
Turpentine
Additives
Colorants
Properties of Dental Waxes
Thermal Properties:
• Crystalline structure.
• Melting range rather than a melting
point.
• Poor thermal conductors.
• High coefficient of thermal expansion.
Properties cont.
Mechanical Properties:
• Low elastic modulus.
• Low compressive strength.
• Brittleness is preferred in inlay waxes
to avoid the wax from fracturing on
removal from an undercut cavity.
Flow
• Is the slippage of wax molecules over
each other.
• Flow increases as the melting point is
reached.
Methods of Wax Softening
• Water bath
• Infra red lamp (standardized method)
• Bunsen burner
• Wax annealer (ideal method)
 Water Bath Infra Red Lamp

Bunsen Burner Wax Annealer

Direct Wax Pattern Technique
• The pattern is waxed on the prepared
tooth, in the mouth.
Indirect Wax Pattern Technique
• The pattern is waxed on a stone cast
made from an accurate impression of
the prepared tooth.
Classification Of Waxes
Dental waxes
Pattern Impression
Inlay Bite
Processing
Base plate registration
Boxing
White Corrective
Resin Carding
Sticky
Casting
Utility
Blockout
Pattern Wax
1. Inlay Wax:
Used in making patterns for:
• Metallic restorations.
• Inlays, crowns and
bridges.
Types of Inlay Wax:
• Type 1: Soft: Indirect use.
Eg. Inlays, crowns and cast pontics.

• Type 2: Hard: Direct and indirect use.

Eg. Inlays and crown.
2. Base Plate/Modelling Wax:
Used in:
• Fabrication of occlusion rims.
• Holding artificial teeth to baseplates.

Melting range:
49-58°C
Types of Base Plate Wax:
I. Soft wax Contours and
veneers.
II. Hard wax Temperate
climate.
III. Extra hard Warm climate.
3. Casting Wax:
Fabrication of metallic framework of
removable partial dentures.
Processing Wax
1. Boxing Wax:
Used to form a box
around the impression
when making a cast.
2. Sticky Wax:
• For joining sprues to sprue bases.
• Align fractured parts of dentures.
• Align FPD units before soldering.
3. Utility Wax:
• Alter stock tray extension.
Impression Waxes
1. Corrective Wax:
• Used as wax veneers over an original
impression to contact and register
the detail of the soft tissues.
2. Bite Registration Wax:
• Used to accurately record the
relationship of the upper & lower
teeth.
Carving Wax
Used for demonstration purposes.
Beading Waxes
Beading wax is adapted around the
impression borders to create the land
area of the cast.
Reference: Applied Dental Materials, 15th Edition John F. McCabe (Editor), 
Angus W. G. Walls (Editor)