National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

What technique involves instructing the patient to close their teeth together before applying impression material?

1. Open Bite Technique

2. Closed Bite Technique

3. Neutral Bite Technique

4. Facial Bite Technique

The correct answer is: Closed Bite Technique

The technique that involves instructing the patient to close their teeth together before applying impression material is known as the Closed Bite Technique. This method is used in dentistry to ensure that an accurate representation of the patient's occlusion—the alignment of the teeth when they bite together—is captured in the impression. By having the patient close their dental arch in a natural position, the impression material can conform to the contours of the teeth and surrounding structures, which is crucial for fabricating restorations, prosthetics, or orthodontic appliances that fit precisely. In contrast, other techniques mentioned have different purposes or involve different patient positions. The Open Bite Technique typically focuses on capturing a specific occlusal relationship when there's a lack of contact between certain teeth. The Neutral Bite Technique is often utilized to position the jaw in a relaxed state, which may not reflect the functional occlusion. The Facial Bite Technique, on the other hand, commonly relates to capturing the relationship between the upper and lower jaws using extraoral reference points, which may not involve the patient’s natural bite position. Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the appropriate technique for various clinical scenarios in dental practice.