National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

Which wax is primarily used to form an imprint of the teeth?

1. Baseplate wax

2. Bite registration wax

3. Sheet wax

4. Utility wax

The correct answer is: Bite registration wax

Bite registration wax is specifically designed for taking an imprint or registration of the occlusion, or the way the upper and lower teeth come together. This type of wax is utilized in dental practices to provide a precise record of the patient's bite, which is critical for fabricating dental restorations such as dentures, crowns, and bridges. The material's unique properties allow it to capture the necessary details of occlusion while remaining pliable enough to easily mold to the shape of the teeth, ensuring an accurate representation. In contrast, baseplate wax is mainly used to create a base for dentures and to establish occlusion in the denture-making process, but it is not used primarily for bite registration. Sheet wax has varied uses in dentistry, such as for dental impressions or model work, but it does not specifically serve the purpose of capturing occlusal relationships. Utility wax is typically employed for soldering or to provide cushioning and support around appliances, rather than for forming bite registrations. Thus, bite registration wax stands out as the correct choice for creating an accurate imprint of the teeth relating to occlusion.