Checking the Occlusion with Wax

A variety of techniques can be employed for checking the dentures’ occlusion.
Occlusal indicator wax is a soft, dark wax with an adhesive surface that is applied to the mandibular posterior occlusal surfaces bilaterally. After the patient has been instructed to occlude, three-dimensional impressions of the cusps of the opposing tooth contacts will be visualized as light areas in the dark wax. Isolated contacts that have penetrated the wax represent premature contacts and should be adjusted, after which the occlusion is checked again. This process continues until all contacts represent similar degrees of penetration into the wax.

Checking the Occlusion with Articulating Paper

Two pieces of occlusal marking paper (shown) or a single "horseshoe" articulating paper is inserted intraorally, placed over the mandibular teeth, and the patient is instructed to gently bite together once and release. Ideally, the desired interocclusal scheme will be represented by the contact marks. More typically, however, owing to subtle changes in the denture bases and intrinsically unavoidable distortions occurring during processing, only a small number of contacts will appear. These should be recognized as prematurities, adjusted, and the occlusion checked again. This process continues until the desired pattern is achieved.
After one or two passes, if contacts still only appear unilaterally or bilaterally but exclusively anteriorly or exclusively posteriorly, a laboratory remount will be required for proper adjustment of both centric and eccentric contacts.

• Denture insertion and removal
  
• Cleaning dentures
  
• Diet
  
• Night use
  
• Recall
  
• Use of denture adhesive