1. DM I Lesson VII: Dental Waxes
Composition:
Blends of natural and synthetic waxes
Fatty acids, oil, gum and resins
Pigments of various types
Natural waxes include:
Paraffin
Carnauba
Beeswax

2. Categories of Waxes Pattern Processing Impression
Used to construct a wax replica for a cast restoration
Processing
Used to adapt different appliances, helps in completing other tasks
Impression
Used to record relationship between upper and lower jaw (bite registration); preliminary edentulous impressions

3. Types of Pattern Waxes Inlay wax
Is supplied usually as sticks; blue in color
Used to create patterns for inlays, onlays, crowns, abutments and pontics

4. Types of Pattern Waxes Casting wax Baseplate wax
Is supplied usually in thin green sheets
Used to create patterns to produce partial denture and bridge attachments
Baseplate wax
Can be supplied in sheets, sticks, pre-formed arches; usually pink or red
Used to create patterns to produce base for full and partial dentures
VDO- vertical dimension of occlusion being established with baseplate bite rim

5. Types of Processing Waxes
Utility wax (AKA- periphery, beading and orthodontic)
Soft at room temperature
Available in many different colors (white, blue, green, red etc…)
Supplied in rope form
Used to extend stock tray; prevent overseating of alginate impression; build up broken tooth for impression; protect gums from sharp wires
Boxing wax
Supplied in narrow sheets (looks like fruit rollups); usually red
Used generally with beading wax to form base when pouring impressions

6. Processing Wax Beading wax Sticky wax Baseplate wax
Supplied in square rope form; dark color; harder than utility wax
Used inside of boxing wax when forming base for pouring
Sticky wax
Supplied in sticks, lumps, cans and cakes; yellow or orange color
Needs to be heated by flame or hot instrument in order to be used
Temporarily holds things together
Baseplate wax
Used in fabrication of custom tray to make space for impression material (called wax relief or wax spacer)

7. Types of Impression Waxes
Baseplate wax
Used to record biting relationship of upper and lower jaw
Wax is softened under hot running water
Full arch, quadrant or just a few teeth can be taken
Aluwax
Supplied in sheets, pre-formed arches and scored sheets; usually green
Softened in warm water
Used primarily to record bites during fabrication of partial denture

8. Impression Waxes Occlusal Indicator wax Impression compound
Supplied in small scored sheets usually green color; may contain small metal filings for strength
Used to check bite when fabricating crowns and bridges
Impression compound
Supplied in wafers, plates, sheets, sticks and cones
Requires water bath or flame to soften
Wafer shapes used to take preliminary impression of edentulous arch
Sticks used to take single copper band impression or border mold custom tray prior to final elastomer impression
Border molding with impression
compound on a custom tray
Impression
Compound