dental waxes part 2

Paraffin

• Main ingredient of most dental waxes (40–60% by weight)

• petroleum-derived hydrocarbon

• moldable but flakes easily

• lacks glossy finish.

Gum Dammar

Natural resin added to paraffin to increase toughness, reduce flaking, and improve surface gloss.

Carnauba Wax

Hardest natural wax, high melting point, glossy finish, gives strength and reduces flow at mouth temperature.

Candelilla Wax

• Plant-based substitute for carnauba

• lower melting point

• less hard, similar properties.

Ceresin

White mineral wax from ozokerite, low melting point, unpleasant odor.

Pattern Waxes

• Used to create molds and frameworks

• (examples: inlay, casting, baseplate waxes).

Processing Waxes

• Used to assist in dental procedures, both clinical and laboratory

• (examples: boxing, utility, sticky waxes).

Impression Waxes

• Used to record occlusal relationships or correct impressions

• (examples: bite registration, corrective waxes).

Inlay Wax

Used for wax patterns in crowns, inlays, and castings.

INLAY WAX Type I (medium)

for direct wax patterns on the tooth.

INLAY WAX Type II (soft)

for indirect wax patterns on a die.

Casting Wax

Used in forming metal frameworks for removable partial dentures.

Baseplate Wax

• Used to establish arch form in dentures; comes in

  • Type I (soft)

  • Type II (medium)

  • Type III (hard)

Boxing Wax

Used to form the base and walls around impressions to create stone models.

Utility Wax

Used to adapt and modify impression trays for patient comfort.

Sticky Wax

Brittle when cooled but sticky when melted; used to temporarily join parts (e.g., bridges, broken dentures).

Bite Registration Wax

Used to record bite/occlusal relationships; melts slightly above mouth temperature.

Corrective Impression Wax

Used with other impression materials to correct undercuts and voids.

Desirable Properties

• Uniform when softened

• Rigid at room temperature

• Easy to carve

• Contrasts with tooth/die

• No residue after burnout

• No flakiness or roughness when bent/molded

• Plasticity or flow at a temperature slightly above the mouth

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Thermal Conductivity

Low — takes time to heat and cool.

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

High — expands/contracts more than any other dental material with temperature changes.

Distortion

Serious problem in waxes caused by thermal changes, stress release, or improper handling/storage.

Elastic Memory

Property of waxes to return to their original shape after manipulation, contributing to distortion.

Lost-Wax Technique

• First procedure in casting;

• wax pattern is burned out to create a mold for metal casting.

Direct Wax Pattern

Wax carved directly on the tooth with Type I wax.

Indirect Wax Pattern

Wax carved on a die using Type II wax.

Baseplate Wax

Used for trial denture construction and arch form.

Sticky Wax

Used to stabilize dental components temporarily.

Boxing Wax

Used to form boundaries when pouring stone models.

Bite Wax

Used to record bite relations; softens in the mouth, rigid at room temperature.