The process of receiving full or partial dentures involves a coordinated sequence of steps, starting with initial impressions and measurements. Between the preliminary stages and the final delivery of a permanent prosthesis, the denture wax try-in occurs. This appointment is essentially a dress rehearsal, allowing the patient and the dentist to evaluate a prototype before the final, irreversible manufacturing begins.
What is the Denture Wax Try-In
The denture wax try-in functions as a preliminary model, allowing the dental team to assess the future denture’s relationship with the patient’s mouth and jaw movements. This prototype uses the actual prosthetic teeth set into a temporary base made of wax, which is typically tinted pink or gum-colored. Since the base is moldable, the dentist can easily remove, reposition, or adjust the teeth directly in the dental chair. The wax base is built upon a rigid baseplate that rests directly on the patient’s gums, mimicking the eventual fit of the permanent denture.
The adjustable nature of the wax try-in is its primary benefit, allowing for corrections in position, alignment, and size without restarting the entire fabrication process. Unlike the final denture, which is made of hard acrylic resin, the wax model is not meant to be permanent or worn for extended periods. This stage ensures that the precise details of the patient’s bite and aesthetic preferences are confirmed before the laboratory commits to the final material.
Evaluating Fit and Appearance
The wax try-in appointment is the most important opportunity to check that the final denture will function correctly and look natural. Evaluation focuses on three areas: function, phonetics, and aesthetics, all requiring the patient’s active participation and feedback. Regarding function, the dentist checks the occlusal relationship—how the upper and lower teeth meet when the mouth closes. This includes verifying the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO), ensuring the jaw is not over-closed or over-opened by measuring the space between the arches when biting down.
The bite alignment must be accurate to ensure stability and comfortable chewing, aiming for balanced contact across the entire arch. Phonetics, or speech, is tested by having the patient read or speak phrases containing sibilant sounds like “s” and “z.” If the teeth are positioned incorrectly, the patient may produce a whistle or lisp, which the dentist can often correct immediately by slightly altering the position of the wax teeth.
Aesthetics involve confirming the size, shape, and shade of the teeth, along with the overall smile line and lip support. The patient approves the appearance of the teeth to ensure they look natural and complement the face. The dentist checks details such as midline alignment and the amount of gum tissue visible when smiling, aiming for a harmonious display. This stage is the last chance to modify the visual and functional aspects of the future denture before it is converted to a permanent material.
Finalizing the Denture
Once the patient and dentist are satisfied with the fit, function, and appearance of the wax try-in, the model is approved for the final processing stage. The approved wax model, with the teeth securely set, is sent back to the dental laboratory. The laboratory technician embeds the entire wax model, along with the cast of the patient’s mouth, into a specialized container called a flask.
This process, known as flasking, prepares the model for the transition from wax to permanent acrylic. The flask is heated, causing the temporary wax to melt and be eliminated, leaving behind a hollow mold that preserves the arrangement of the teeth. The space is then filled with the permanent, hard, heat-cured acrylic resin, often referred to as “dough.”
This acrylic is cured under heat and pressure, ensuring the material hardens and achieves maximum strength and dimensional stability. The acrylic replaces the wax, forming the final, durable base of the denture that holds the teeth in the approved position. The completed, polished denture is removed from the flask and is ready to be delivered to the patient at the final insertion appointment.