Pattern Waxes in Dentistry: Types, Properties, and Applications

Pattern Waxes in Dentistry: Types, Properties, and Applications

Pattern waxes are of three types viz:

1. Inlay casting wax
2. RPD casting wax
3. Baseplate wax.

1. Inlay casting wax: Blue inlay wax is a type of pattern wax that is used for making patterns for inlays, crowns, and bridges which is later replaced by metal or alloy.

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Ideal Requirements of Blue Inlay Wax:

• When soften, the wax should be uniform, there should be no graininess or hard spots in the plastic material.
• The color should contrast with die.
• There should be no flakiness, or roughening of the surface when the wax is molded after softening.
• The wax should not pull or chip during carving.
• During burnout (500°C), it should vaporize completely without residue.
• The wax pattern should be rigid and dimensionally stable till it is eliminated.
• It is sufficiently plastic slightly above the mouth temperature and get rigid when cooled to mouth temperature.
• Wax should have good flow when heated and it set rigidly when cooled.

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Uses or Application of Inlay Casting Wax or Inlay Wax:

• It is used in the fabrication of direct patterns
• It is used in indirect techniques for inlays, crowns, and FPDs.

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2. RPD Casting Wax: Partial denture casting wax has different handling and appearance properties as compared to inlay casting wax.

Property of RPD Casting Wax: 

• RPD casting waxes are tacky and highly ductile, they adapt easily and stick on refractory cast.
• This wax accurately copies the surface details against which
  it is adapted.
• Wax comes in preformed shapes, so it is easy to assemble.
• As wax pattern is completed, it is invested and ignited.

Uses RPD Casting Wax: For making patterns of metallic framework and sprues of the removable partial denture.

3. Baseplate Wax:

It is also known as modeling or Type 2 wax. These wax are easy to carve. They cannot chip or break during try-in. They can boil without leaving any residue.

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Classification of Baseplate Wax:

• Type I: Soft—for building veneers
• Type II: Hard—in mouth in normal climate
• Type III: Extra hard—used in tropical climates.

Composition of Baseplate Wax:

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Uses of Baseplate Wax:

• For constructing occlusal rims
• For making contour of the denture after setting
• For constructing patterns of orthodontic appliances and other prostheses which are constructed of plastics.