Dental Wax

Dr. Manar Nazhat

BDS., MSc., PhD
Aims:-

To discuss Dental Waxes., Classifications., Uses &

Mechanical Properties,.Chemical Properties,.
Outlines:-
- Classifications
- Uses
- Properties
- Types
Dental materials dental waxes

Dental waxes : variety of natural waxes and resins have been used in
dentistry for specific and well defined applications.

Waxes are thermoplastic materials which are solids at room

temperature but melt without decomposition to form mobile liquids.
Thermal properties of waxes melting range:-
Waxes have a melting range.
Example : 44 – 62 C⁰ or 50 – 90 C⁰
Significance: Mixing of waxes can change their melting range.

When using a flame, care should be taken not to overheat the wax whilst at
the same time thorough softening throughout the whole bulk of material occurs

Coefficient of thermal expansion:-

Waxes expand when there is increase in temperature and contract when there
is decrease in temp.

Dental waxes have the greatest co-efficient of thermal expansion than any
Mechanical properties

• Compressive strength, proportional limit, elastic modulus of waxes

are low.

• These properties strongly depends on the temperature.

• As the temp decreases mechanical properties improve
Chemical nature
Two principle groups of organic compounds :
• Hydrocarbons : saturated alkanes Esters
• myricyl palmitate [bees wax]
Some waxes in addition contains free alcohol and acids.
Requirements of wax-pattern materials:-
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 mould, it should be possible to remove the wax by
boiling out or burning without leaving a residue.

Methods for softening wax prior to moulding include a water bath, an infra-red
lamp and abunsen burner.
A major factor which determines the stability of a wax is its flow value.
Waxes should, ideally, exhibit considerable flow at the moulding temperature but
should show little or no flow at mouth temperature or room temperature so that
they are not easily distorted.
PATTERN WAXES :
1. Inlay wax
2. Casting wax
3. Base plate wax
4. Wax rim
5. Shellac denture base

PROCESSING WAX:
1. Sticky wax
2. Utility wax
3. Block-out wax
4. Boxing & beading wax

IMPRESSION WAX:
1. Corrective wax
2. Bite registration
Inlay wax

Classification (It is a type of pattern wax).

Type I: Medium wax employed in direct technique.
Type II: Soft wax used for indirect technique for inlays and crowns.

Uses of inlay wax:

1. It is used to make patterns for metallic restorations.
2. Patterns for inlays,
3. crowns and bridges is first made in wax and then converted
into metal or ceramic by casting.
Casting wax

Classification (It is a type of pattern wax)

Class I : pink ,Flow of about 10 % at 35C˚ Easily adaptable

at 40 to 45C˚
Class II : green ,Minimum flow of 60 % at 38C˚ ,adapts well
to the surface ,not brittle on cooling
Class III: readymade shapes, blue Will burnout at 500C˚

Supplied As Sheets 0.40 and 0.32 mm thickness.

• Used to produce the metallic component of partial

denture on the cast. Class I Class II Class III
Base Plate Wax
• Classification (It is a type of pattern wax).
• Uses: used mainly in preparing wax patterns for prosthesis.
• Supplied as : Sheets of pink or red color.
Wax rim (bite rim):

It is a type of pattern wax. The softening temp. is above the mouth

temp. It is tough & resist fracture during removal from the cast.

It used for:
1. Restoring the occlusal relationship.
2. Arrangement of teeth.
3. Check the denture inside the patient mouth.
(available as Bite block or Bite stick)
Shellac denture base:
(It is a type of pattern wax)
• Wax like resin stable at mouth temp.
• It has high softening temperature than other waxes.
• It is used as a temporary denture base.
Sticky wax:

(It is a type of processing wax).

1- It is sticky when melted.
2- It adheres closely to the surfaces when applied to it.
3- If movement occurs the wax tends to fracture than distort.
4- At room temperature the wax is brittle and breaks easil

Uses :
1. It is used to align fractured parts of acrylic dentures .
2. It is used to align fixed partial denture units before soldering.
3. It is used to seal a plaster splint to the stone cast
Utility Wax
(It is a type of processing wax).
• Supplied as : It is available in the form of sticks and sheets.
Orange or dark red in color.
• Uses: It can be used to alter the stock tray extensions .
also can change Height of the tray.
Boxing & beading waxes: (It is a type of processing wax).

Use:

• Beading wax is adapted around the impression borders to

create the land area of the cast
• Boxing wax is used to build up vertical walls around the
impression in order to pour the gypsum product to make a cast
base.
Supplied as :
• Boxing wax as sheets.
• beading wax as strips.
Block out wax
(It is a type of processing wax).
• Used for filling the undercut area on the cast during processing of the
Cr-Co frame work.
Impression waxes:

*Corrective wax :
*Bite registration wax : It is used to record the relationship of the upper
& lower teeth in dentulous patients .
References

-Applied Dental Materials.,9 EDITION

John F. McCabe &Angus W.G. Walls
Any questions?