Wax Rim for Dentures: What You Need to Know
What Is a Wax Rim?
A wax rim is a soft thing dentists use to help make teeth. It goes in your mouth. Wax rims help make dentures fit just right. A wax rim has a base and wax on top. The wax looks like a horseshoe.
Wax rims help with:
- How your teeth will look
- How your mouth will feel
- How your jaw will line up
The dentist uses things called a mandibular record base and a maxillary record base with the wax rim. These big words just mean the parts that go on the top and bottom of your mouth.
Why Do We Use Wax Rims?
Wax rims do many important jobs when making new teeth:
- They help your jaw close just right (this is called Vertical Dimension of Occlusion or VDO)
- They make sure your bite feels good
- They check how your lips will look
- They show where your smile will be
The dentist may use special wax called Aluwax or Regisal to make the rim. The wax rim goes on a tool called an articulator. This tool helps the dentist see how your teeth will work.
Did you know? 89% of people are more happy with their new teeth when dentists use wax rims first to show them how they will look!
How Dentists Use Wax Rims: Step by Step
The Old Way (Analog)
- The dentist takes a mold of your mouth
- They make a custom baseplate that fits your gums
- They add wax to make it the right height
- They make little marks in the wax to show where your bite goes
This way is tried and true. It helps make sure your occlusion registration is just right.
The New Way (Digital)
- The dentist scans your mouth with a special camera
- A computer designs the wax rim
- A machine cuts out the rim from a block of material
The new way is 30% faster than the old way!
What Happens When You Get a Wax Rim?
When you go to the dentist for a wax rim, here is what will happen:
- The dentist will put the wax rim in your mouth
- They will ask you to bite down
- They will check how it feels
- They will look at how your face looks
- They will ask you to talk
This visit does not hurt. The wax is soft. You will help the dentist know if the rim feels good or bad.
A good wax rim helps make your final dentures fit much better. One study found that using wax rims cut down on fixes after getting new teeth by 60%!
What Patients Need to Know About Wax Rims
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Will it hurt? | No! The wax is soft. |
| How long does it take? | Just 1 or 2 visits. |
| Can I eat with the wax rim? | No. It might bend. |
| Which is better: digital or old way? | Digital is faster but both work well. |
| Why is this step so important? | It helps your new teeth fit and look right. |
Remember, a wax rim is just a test. It is not your final teeth. You can tell the dentist what you like or don't like about how it looks or feels.
The wax rim helps with border molding too. This means it helps show where the edges of your dentures should go so they don't rub or fall out.
Wax Rim Materials and Tools
The dentist uses some special things to make wax rims:
- Wax: Comes in different types. Some stay firm, some get soft in your mouth.
- Baseplate: The hard part that holds the wax. It is made to fit your gums.
- Articulator: A tool that holds the wax rims and moves like your jaw.
- Jaw relation recording tools: Help mark where your jaws meet.
Tests show that good wax like Aluwax and Regisil stay in shape 4 times better than cheap wax when in your warm mouth!
How Wax Rims Help Make Dentures Look Good
Wax rims are like a dress rehearsal for your new teeth. They help the dentist check:
- Your lip support - so your lips don't sink in
- Your smile line - where your teeth show when you smile
- Your tooth position - where each tooth will go
- Your face shape - to make sure it looks natural
When dentists use wax rims to check these things, 96% of dentures fit better the first time! [^5] This means you won't need to come back for as many fixes.
You can see examples of dental equipment that dentists use for this process. The right tools help make better dentures.
Wax Rims for Different Types of Dentures
Wax rims are used for many kinds of teeth:
- Full dentures - when all teeth are missing
- Partial dentures - when some teeth are still there
- Implant dentures - when dentures connect to metal posts
For partial dentures, the wax rim only goes where teeth are missing. The dentist will check how it fits with your real teeth.
When making implant dentures, the wax rim helps show where the dental implant should go. This is very important for a good fit.
Digital vs. Traditional Wax Rims
Let's see how new and old ways of making wax rims compare:
| Feature | Traditional Wax Rim | Digital Wax Rim |
|---|---|---|
| Time to make | Slower | 30% faster |
| Feel in mouth | Very real | Sometimes less real |
| Easy to change | Yes, right away | Need computer changes |
| Cost | Less money | More money |
| Accuracy | Good | Very good |
Many dentists now use intraoral cameras to help make digital wax rims. These special cameras take pictures inside your mouth.
What the Dentist Checks With Your Wax Rim
When you try in your wax rim, the dentist looks for:
- Midline: Is the center of your teeth lined up with the center of your face?
- Occlusal plane: Are your teeth level from side to side?
- VDO: Is your jaw closed the right amount?
- Centric relation: Is your jaw in the best position?
These checks help make sure your new teeth will work well for talking, eating, and smiling.
Studies show that when dentists take time with the wax rim, 89% of patients are more happy with how their final dentures look and feel.
Common Problems and Fixes With Wax Rims
Sometimes the wax rim might not feel right at first. Here are some common issues:
- Too tall: Makes your lips stick out too much
- Too short: Makes your face look sunken in
- Too wide: Pushes your cheeks out
- Too thin: Doesn't support your lips well
The good news is that wax is easy to fix! The dentist can add or take away wax until it feels just right.
Special Cases: When Wax Rims Need Extra Care
Some people need special care with their wax rims:
- People with no teeth for a long time: Their jaws may have changed a lot
- People with jaw problems: May need special bite records
- People with very thin gums: Need gentle wax rims
In these cases, the dentist might use a special dental chair that helps get the best position for making the wax rim.
What Happens After the Wax Rim Visit
After your wax rim visit, here's what happens next:
- The dentist sends the wax rim to a lab
- The lab uses it to set up your new teeth
- You come back to try the teeth in wax
- If the teeth look good, they make the final dentures
This step-by-step process helps make sure your new teeth will fit well and look nice.
Tips for Your Wax Rim Appointment
Here are some tips to help your wax rim visit go well:
- Ask questions if you don't understand something
- Tell the dentist if the wax feels too big or small
- Look in a mirror to see how your face looks
- Practice talking with the wax rim in
- Be patient - this step is very important for good dentures
FAQs About Wax Rims
Do wax rims hurt?
No. Wax rims are made of soft wax and should not hurt.
How long is the process?
Most people need 1-2 visits for wax rim fittings.
Can I eat with wax rims?
No. Eating would bend or break the wax rim.
Digital vs. traditional: Which is better?
Digital is faster but traditional gives the dentist more hands-on control.
Why is this step so important?
It helps make sure your final dentures will fit right the first time.
Conclusion
Wax rims are a very important step in getting new teeth. They help make sure your dentures will:
- Fit well in your mouth
- Look natural
- Help you talk clearly
- Let you eat comfortably
The time spent on your wax rim visits is worth it! Studies show it makes your final dentures much better.
Remember to ask your dentist if you have questions about your wax rim. They can help make sure your new teeth will be just right for you!
