Learn about the steps to correctly use base plate rims to record measurements. Denture occlusal rims do more than just record the patient’s bite. Read more...
Denture occlusal rims, or bite rims, do more than just record the patient’s bite. They help your technician choose tooth size and shape, determine the correct position of the incisal edge of the teeth and establish esthetic gingival contours of your full denture.
Bite rims are designed with the wax directly over the patient’s bony ridge. This is the most stable position for denture teeth to be set for function and wear. The bite rims also record the patient’s occlusal vertical dimension or the VDO. This is the vertical distance between the upper and lower jaws when natural teeth or denture teeth are in correct occlusion. An appropriate VDO will appear as an ordinary positioning of the patient's nose, lips and chin. An excessive VDO will appear as though the patient has something stuffed into their mouth and the patient may not be able to close his or her lips around the bite rims. A deficient VDO will appear as though the patient's mouth has collapsed, the chin will appear too close to the nose, and the lip corners will be drawn down.
Sometimes it is necessary for your technician to block out any undercuts on the master model while fabricating the base plate to avoid breaking it during bite rim fabrication. This could make the baseplate feel a little loose in the mouth. It may be necessary to use a small amount of denture adhesive for your try in appointments. Once the denture is processed, the fit will be correct.
STEP 1
Before trying bite rims, measure your patient’s VDO. With the patient wearing their old dentures, mark a dot on the patient’s nose and a dot on their chin. Record the distance between the two dots. If the patient has worn down their old teeth or if they are edentulous, you will need to estimate the VDO and determine the correct position based off how the wax rims look and feel inside the mouth. You can add or remove wax from the rims as necessary until the exact measurement you recorded is reached.
STEP 2
Next, you will want to check the amount of lip support the wax rims give. Look at your patient’s side profile. The edge of the wax rim should fall in-line with the incisal edge of the upper anteriors. Have the patient talk with the bite rims in place; determine if the edge is in a comfortable place for speaking and smiling. This is especially important if your patient has a natural class II or class III bite that you may want to try to correct. If necessary, add wax or remove wax from the rim to achieve the correct incisal edge.
STEP 3
Check the occlusal plane by ensuring that the edge of the upper wax rim is straight across and not slanted to one side or the other. When smiling, the incisal edge should show in equal amounts across the lip line. If corrections are needed, mark the correct occlusal plane by scoring a line in the wax or by drawing it with a sharpie. Mark the midline by marking a line on the wax at the exact middle of the patient’s face. Also mark the approximate positions of the canine teeth. This should be about even with the corner of the patient’s lips at rest. Mark the height of the patient’s lips when they are smiling as this will determine the correct height of the teeth selected. When all your measurements have been recorded, add the impression material to the bottom wax rim and help guide the patient into centric relation.
If your patient has a current denture and they are happy with the general appearance and size of the teeth, send a study model copy for reference. It is also helpful to send a study model when describing what your patient does not like about their current denture. If you are making a first denture, pictures of the patient’s face will help your technician choose the correct tooth size and shape. Record any specific desires or expectations your patient may have. Lastly, do not forget to record the desired shade.
By giving your technician as much information as possible at this preliminary stage, they will fabricate a new denture your patient will love with fewer appointments.
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FAQs
Occlusal rims (bite rims or wax rims): are occluding surfaces or wax form constructed on record bases used for recording jaw relation and teeth arrangement. ➢ Base plate wax is commonly used for occlusion rims construction to manage the maxillo-mandibular relations registration and teeth arrangement.
What are the measurements for occlusal wax rims? ›
The maxillary rim has an anterior height of 22mm and a posterior height of 18mm. The anterior width should be 6-8mm and the posterior width should 8-10mm. For the mandible rim, the anterior and posterior height should be 18mm all around. The anterior and posterior width should be the same as the maxillary width.
What is the function of the bite rim? ›
Bite rims are designed with the wax directly over the patient's bony ridge. This is the most stable position for denture teeth to be set for function and wear. The bite rims also record the patient's occlusal vertical dimension or the VDO.
What is the bite registration method? ›
With this method, pairs of teeth (1 upper tooth and 1 lower tooth), from at least 3 different locations on the jaws, that contact each other when the patient bites together are identified and recorded, these teeth (known as index teeth) are then positioned together on the models to reproduce the bite.
How to do occlusal rims? ›
- Construction of Maxillary Occlusal Rim using Modelling Wax.
- Use the flame from Bunsen Burner to heat the Modelling Wax.
- Fold the Baseplate Wax into a rectangular wax. ...
- Apply sticky wax to Record Base.
- Place the folded Modelling Wax to the Record Base.
- Use the Plaster knife to lop out the proper dimensions of the.
Record bases and wax rims are used for recording the postural position of the mandible in relation to the maxilla so that we can arrange the denture teeth in their correct occlusal relationship.
How to use base plate wax? ›
Model Forming: Take a sheet of wax and tear in half, soften the sheet of wax over a Bunsen flame and press it onto the plaster model. Make sure the wax goes into all the curves and cracks of the model and then trim/carve the excess wax away using a heated knife.
How do you check occlusal rims? ›
The most common technique is to hold an occlusal plane guide in position against the upper rim and to hold a straight edge-up against the face at interpupillary line anteriorly and camper's line posteriorly. [5] Adjustments are made until the desired occlusal plane orientation is achieved.
How high should occlusal rim be for mandibular? ›
The anterior height of the maxillary occlusion rim should be 22 mm while the mandibular occlusion rim anterior height is around 18 mm.
What is the purpose of a bite plate? ›
A bite plate is a removable appliance that decreases the overbite of the front teeth. For optimal results, orthodontists recommend that the bite plate be worn at all times, except during mealtimes, sports, and brushing the teeth.
Wax rims play a crucial role in occlusal correction within the denture fabrication process. They serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, helping dentists achieve optimal bite and jaw function for the patient. One of the most important roles of wax rims is in providing verification of jaw alignment.
What is the difference between occlusal rim and bite block? ›
THREE TYPES - Occlusal Rims are soft, medium size, and have a recessed ridge. Bite Rims are medium-hard and medium-sized. The Bite Blocks are more rigid, larger, and also have a recessed ridge.
When to use bite registration? ›
Bite registration dental impressions are taken to assess how a patient's upper and lower teeth are positioned and how they fit together. The impressions are also used to fabricate products like crowns and mouth guards.
What is the purpose of an occlusal rim? ›
The wax occlusal extension of a denture base used to establish jaw and tooth relationships during the construction of a complete or partial denture. Also known as bite block, bite rim, bite plate, or occlusal record block.
What are the occlusal rims on a denture used for the records of? ›
Occlusion rim: the occlusal surfaces fabricated on record bases for the purpose of making maxillomandibular relationship records and/or arranging teeth - called also occlusion rim. Requirements of occlusal rim: 1. The position should be in the anticipated position of the artificial teeth.
Which of the following is a function of occlusal rims? ›
- Properly contoured record bases and occlusal rims allow the clinician to not only verify esthetics (facial contours), VDO and CR, but also allow for verification of phonetics.
