Prosthodontics
The dental chronicle of the Association of Prosthodontists of Quebec
Dr. Jean Patrick Arcache
Materials Used for Bite Registration in
C.R. and M.I.P.
The maximum intercuspation position (M.I.P.) is
defined as the occlusal position in which the teeth
present with the maximum number of inter-jaw
contacts. Centric relation (C.R.) is obtained when the
condyles rest on the middle portion of the disc in the
most antero-superior position of the articular
eminence. This position is independent of dental
contacts and it serves as a reference in different
clinical situations1.
Many materials exist which may register the
interocclusal relationship in C.R. or in M.I.P. In order
to faithfully reproduce the occlusal surface, the
material must be viscous upon insertion and rigid
once it is set2,3. The M.I.P. registration is unnecessary
if a sufficient number of teeth are present to assure
the stability of the models in occlusion. Many
studies2,4,5 have demonstrated that the presence of a
bite registration gave rise to errors in mounting.
However, it is important to use a registration material
in C.R. or when M.I.P. is unstable.
A material used for a bite registration must possess
the following properties:
• Precision
• Dimensional stability
• Resistance to occlusal forces
• Ease of use
• Cost
Materials most commonly used are:
1. Waxes
2. Elastomers
3. Zinc oxide based pastes
18 Journal dentaire du Québec Volume 41 Janvier 2004
1. Waxes
The advantages of waxes are that they are
inexpensive and easy to use. Their resistance to
closure is 7 N6. However, base plate waxes are not
dimensionally stable and create serious mounting
errors in the vertical and horizontal dimensions 2,4,6,7,8.
The more rigid waxes (Beauty pink, Moyco) which
fracture at room temperature, may however be used
as long as certain technical parameters are respected.
a. Soften the wax to 52 degrees Celsius,
b. Record the cusp tips only,
c. Cool in mouth with air spray and wait for
complete cooling instead of submerging in
water7,
d. Mount on an articulator as quickly as possible7,
e. Eliminate tissue rests4 (fig.1)
2. Elastomers (polyethers and polysiloxanes)
Despite these materials being recommended for
recording M.I.P.9,10, they possess an elasticity that may
induce a variation in mounting, especially in the
vertical dimension. A constant occlusal pressure
during setting time (approximately 30 seconds) is
obligatory. Excess material is removed with a scalpel
blade prior to mounting. Finally, the operator must
exert pressure on the models while mounting on an
articulator to avoid rebound of the teeth in the bite
registration (fig. 2). This type of material is more
easily used when mounting wax rims in complete
and partial dentures.
3. Zinc oxide pastes (With or without eugenol)
These pastes are reliable for recording M.I.P.11. They
have a weak resistance to closing forces5. However,
they are crumbly, harden quickly and stick to the
teeth12. They require support due their fragility
(fig. 3).
 Prosthodontics

We can combine different materials to record a bite

Figure 1 registration in C.R.: rigid wax (Beauty Pink, Moyco) or
an acrylic resin (Pattern resin, G.C.) which acts as a
support to an elastomer or a zinc oxide paste. The
combination of acrylic resin/zinc oxide paste would
be the most accurate13. A study reports that all
registration techniques lead to errors in transferring to
an articulator and despite clinical procedures and
meticulous techniques, small occlusal adjustments
are inevitable14.

Figure 3

Figure 2

1. The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms, 6th edition 1994.

2. Urstein M, et al… Clinical evaluation of materials used in registering jaw relationships. J.P.D 65: 372-7, 1991.
3. Tripodakis AP. Evaluation of the accuracy of interocclusal records in relation to two recording techniques. J.P.D (1997) 77: 141-6.
4. Feugeureux G, Abergel I. Comparaison de trois techniques d’enregistrement de l’occlusion centrée en prothèse conjointe. Les cahiers de
prothèse. N° 39 71-79, 1982
5. Strohover R. A comparison of articular mountings made with centric relation and myocentric position records. J.P.D 28: 379-390, 1972.
6. Lassila V. Comparison of five interocclusal recording materials. J.P.D (1986) 55: 215-8.
7. Millstein P et al… Determination of the accuracy of wax. interocclusal registrations Part II. J.P.D 51: 152-157, 1984.
8. Lavigne J, et al… Usefulness of 3 interocclusal registration materials. Schweiz Monasschr Zahrkeild. 87: 1-9, 1977.
9. Campos AA; Nathanson D. Compressibility of two polyvinyl siloxane interocclusal record materials. J.P.D (1999) 82: 456-61.
10. Ockert- Eriksson G et al… Materials of interocclusal records and their ability to reproduce a 3 dimensional jaw relationship. Int. J. Prosth.
(2000) 13 :152-8.
11. Balthazar-Hart, y et al… Accuracy and dimensional stability of four interocclusal recording materials. J.P.D 45: 586-591, 1981.
12. Fattore L et al… Clinical evaluation of the accuracy of interocclusal recording materials. J.P.D 51:152-157, 1984.
13. Pagnano V. A clinical evaluation of materials for interocclusal. registration in centric relation. Braz. Dent J (2000) 11: 41-47.
14. Utz KH. Accuracy of check-bite registration and centric condyles position. J.O.R (2002) 29: 458-66.

19 Journal dentaire du Québec Volume 41 Janvier 2004