What are waxes?

Typically, waxes do not consist of a single chemical compound, but rather

are often very complex mixtures. Being oligomers or polymers in many cases, the
components differ in their molecular weight, in the distribution of molecular weight, or in the degree of
the branching of the chain.

history of dental wax

Wax has been a valuable commodity for over 2000 years. In ancient times, beeswax was
used to wrap and preserve valuable objects, produce candles and make sculptures and statues of
public figures of great prestige, etc. for a long time not too much was known about their
It wasn't until the mid-17th century that it was discovered that beeswax is derived from
from the secretions that bees use to build honeycombs and not a result of plants.
Although beeswax is still used today, modern waxes, such as those designed for
dental processes.

FUNCTION

Due to their characteristics, dental waxes offer a great variety of uses in

various dental aspects that will be carried out during the processes with the
patients. Some of these dental wax works are those that, for example, are used under
heating and it is when they soften and hardens when it is cold. to obtain good
impressions and coatings. It is necessary to take into account the cuts, measurements, the dimensions of
wax block, the silhouette and details of the teeth.

Dental waxes can be classified according to their use, origin, and composition.

We have waxes for patterns, processed wax, and wax for prints, the waxes that we can use.
for patterns there is Inlay Wax, Casting Wax, Base Wax
partial dentures. The waxes used for processing are Inlay wax, Base wax
of complete prostheses and adhesive wax, which is used for the repair of prostheses

The wax for inlays: it is used to achieve the dimensions and contours.
defaults of a dental restoration. The main waxes used for
Inclusions are paraffin, microcrystalline wax, ceresine, carnauba, candelilla, and wax
bees.

The colors of the waxes for inlays should contrast with the shades of the teeth and the
matrices. Dental waxes are supplied in a variety of colors that include blue, green,
yellow, red, and ivory. The colors are useful to provide an adequate contrast against a
since it is an exact replica of a prepared tooth or a dental arch shape

Type I Wax: hard, for direct method to make patterns directly in the mouth, where
the low flow values at 37ºC (< 1%) tend to limit the risk of deformation of the
patterns during the extraction of the cavity preparation; regarding its fluidity, the temperature
What this wax must reach to record the details of a cavity is usually slightly below.
above 45º; thermal contraction: 0.04% for each ºC; distortion will be greater if we have
a very high temperature or if it spends a lot of time in the process of making the pouring.

Ceratpo II: it is soft and more fluid, it is used in indirect techniques, where an impression is taken.
partial or total and the pattern is prepared on the plaster model,

The casting wax: it is used to make the pattern for preparing the metal structure of the
removable partial dentures and other similar structures. The wax comes prepared and ready the
portions of wax to reproduce. These waxes are supplied in the form of sheets, elements
preformed (wires and rounded bars, half-moon and half-pear). Composition: wax
paraffin, ceresine, beeswax, resin, other waxes. The characteristics it presents are:
adhesiveness, hardness, and resistance; minimal dimensional change with temperature changes; it
they must evaporate completely.

The wax for bases: to establish the vertical dimension, the occlusion plane, and the initial shape of
the dental arch in the manufacture of complete and partial dentures. It allows for establishing the contour
desired in the prosthesis. Composition: ceresin: 80%; beeswax 12%; carnauba 2.5%; resins
3%; microcrystalline waxes 2.5%. They are presented as sheets of 7.6 x 15 x 0.13 cm in pink color.
oh red.

soft, for contours and veneers.

- Type III: hard, for patterns (tropical climates

In the wax base for a mold that holds and surrounds the teeth of a wax pattern for
a denture, there is a residual tension, which is a consequence of irregular cooling,
from the work of wax with a hot spatula and the physical manipulation of the wax below
its most suitable working temperature. The tempo and the temperature influence the release of
the residual tensions.

The following practical requirements for wax esthetics are suggested.

The linear thermal expansion between 26º and 40ºC must not exceed 0.8%.

The softened sheets should adhere easily without forming scales or sticking to the
fingers.

- No deben irritar los tejidos orales. - Se deben recortar fácilmente con un instrumento afilado a
23ºC

It should not leave residues on plastic or porcelain teeth (when evaporating).

During the process, the dye should not come off.

When storing, sheets should not stick to each other or to the separator paper.
WAX FOR PROCESSING
Sticky: made up of a mixture of waxes and resins or other additives. It is sticky in state
melted and adheres to the surfaces to which it is applied; however, at room temperature
Lacera is firm, slightly sticky, and quite fragile. It is used in prosthetic dentistry to bond parts.
metal or plastic in a fixed temporary position. Characteristics: it must be
dark or intense color to distinguish it from the light color of the plasters; maximum contraction 0.5%
between 23º and 35ºC.

Boxed or formwork: its use is similar to that of cardboard. Properties: smooth surface and
brilliant when flamed; flexible at 21ºC; must maintain its shape at 35ºC; that it can be
adapt for printing; slightly adhesive.
Laminated for records: Wax esthetpo may behave differently than
ambient temperature, deformable or rigid and brittle plastic ideal for recording measurements
of central relation and laterality.

WAX FOR PRINTING.

Corrector: it is used as a wax varnish over an original print to establish a
contact and record the details of the soft tissues. The impression is brushed with this wax.
Wax for bite registration: it is used to accurately articulate models of dental arches.
opposite. The fluidity at 37ºC ranges between 2.5 and 22%, indicating that it may present
distortions when drawing the mouth.

The classification of dental waxes taking into account their composition and origin, these can
to be

NATURAL WAXES Natural waxes are complex mixtures of organic compounds with weight
relatively high molecular weight. The composition of these waxes is very variable, depending on the
origin and the moment of obtaining, so manufacturers must mix the different batches
of waxes to obtain the desirable properties for a particular application composed of
natural or synthetic waxes

And synthetic waxes Synthetic waxes are more uniform than natural waxes in their
more homogeneous organic structure and composition due to the fact that they are obtained
combining various substances.
the classification according to its origin

1. MINERAL WAXES Generally obtained from petroleum; when mixed with oils they
They soften and their polishing is improved; some have a greater affinity for oils than others.
Paraffin candles: melted between 50º and 70º, they are relatively soft; during the
Solidification and cooling produce a volumetric contraction, which is not uniform.
in the entire temperature range between the melting point and room temperature. It
they use waxes for inlays.
 Ø Microcrystalline wax: has melting points that range between 60º and 91º.
obtained from the heavier fractions of crude oils); they modify the
softening and fusion range of another type of wax; they experience a change
volumetric lower upon solidification.
The Barnsdahl wax is a microcrystalline wax that has a melting point between 70.
and 74º and it is used to increase the melting temperature range and hardness and to
reduce the fluidity of the paraffins
Ø Ozoquerite wax: melting temperature of 65º; they are waxes similar to the
microcrystalline and have a great affinity for oils.

Ceresin: has a higher molecular weight and greater hardness than hydrocarbon waxes.
destined from the crude; they are used to increase the melting range of the
Paraffin. It is typically a white wax extracted from ozokerite, a mineral mixture.
hydrocarbon wax that is colorless or white when pure, but has an odor
something unpleasant.

Ø Montan: they are mineral waxes similar to vegetable ones; their melting temperature varies
between 72º and 92º; they are hard, brittle and lustrous; they mix well with other waxes and are used in
menudo as a a substitute for vegetable waxes to improve hardness and range
fusion of the paraffins.

VEGETABLE WAXES
Carnauba and urucuri waxes: they are characterized by their great hardness, fragility, and high temperatures.
fusion; carnauba waxes have melting temperatures between 84º and 91º, those of uricuri,
between 79º and 84º; both waxes increase the melting range and the hardness of the paraffins.

Carnauba is derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm.

Candelilla wax: melting temperature between 68º and 75º; it hardens paraffin waxes.
obtained from plants that grow in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, etc.
Japan wax and cocoa butter: they are not true waxes, but they are fundamentally
Waxes. Japanese wax is a strong, malleable, and sticky material that melts at 51º;
mixing with paraffin to improve its adhesiveness and emulsifying capacity. The butter of
cocoa is fragile at room temperature; it is used to protect soft tissues against the
dehydration.

INSECT WAXES

Bee wax: melting temperature 63-70º; fragile at room temperature and plastic
the body temperature; it is used to modify the properties of the paraffins and is the
main component of sticky wax.

ANIMAL WAXES
 Spermaceti wax: it is obtained from whale sperm; it is not used much in dentistry;
it is used to coat dental floss.

SYNTHETIC CERAMICS

Some synthetic waxes: polyethylene waxes, polyoxyethylene glycol waxes, hydrocarbon waxes
halogenated, hydrogenated waxes, waxes of esters derived from the reaction of acids and
fatty alcohols.

Desirable properties of wax

The control of the properties of dental wax is achieved through a combination of factors.

Depending on the specific application of a given wax, the melting range, viscosity,
adaptability, flow, elastic recovery, and burning properties of these materials
they control the quality and reproducibility of the prostheses and final restorations. The properties
the most important waxes for inlays are the following:

The wax must be uniform when softened. It must be made with ingredients that...
mix them together so that there are no granules on the surface or hard spots inside the
surface when the wax softens.

The color must contrast with the materials of the die or the prepared teeth. Since it is
it is necessary to carve the margins of the wax against the surface of the mold, the wax must present a
defined color contrast and sufficient opacity in thin layers to facilitate the finish
suitable margins.

The wax should not fragment into scales or similar superficial particles when molded.
after softening. It is likely that such peeling is present in the paraffin wax, for
Modifiers should be added to minimize this effect.

Once the wax pattern has solidified, it is necessary to carve the original anatomy of the
tooth and the margins so that the pattern fits precisely to the surface of the stump. The
The latest procedure sometimes requires that the wax be carved into a very thin layer. The wax does not
It must be removed by the carving tool or the chip since it is carved or cannot be.
achieve such precision.

5 For lost wax casting of metals, a coating mold is formed around

a wax pattern. Once the mold containing the wax pattern is formed, the wax must
removing from the mold. The removal of the wax pattern that usually emerges is achieved
heating the mold so that the wax melts and ignites.

Video of central incisive carving: htps://youtu.be/CxJq1FTYojY