1. Occlusion Exercise #19 & #20: Additive Wax Technique
Pauline Hayes Garrett, D.D.S.
Department of Endodontics, Prosthodontics, and Restorative Dentistry
University of Maryland, Baltimore

2. Articulate Casts: in Maximum Intercuspation

3. Class 1 Occlusion
Note: Ideal cusp- fossa/ embrasure relationship

4. Canine Guidance
Note: There is no interference of the posterior teeth in excursive movements

5. Mandibular Arch Triangular ridges are red Marginal ridges are blue
Cusps tips are marked by the circles
Mesial and Distal cusp ridges are green

6. Prepare the casts
Lines drawn on the facial aspect that bisect the cusp tips

7. Prepare the casts
Lines drawn on the lingual aspect that bisect the cusp tips

8. Prepare the casts
Lines are drawn over the occlusal aspect of the teeth
It is important to follow the orientation of the triangular ridges when drawing these lines

9. Prepare the casts
Horizontal lines delineate how far the cast should be cut down prior to starting the waxing.

10. Prepare the casts Preparation of the casts for waxing
Cast should be cut down gingival to the buccal groove on the molar

11. Prepare the casts
Two line are now drawn on the occlusal aspect that represent the bucco-occlusal and linguo-occlusal lines
Undercuts will be placed on this surface in the areas will the cusp tips should be positioned
The undercuts on the cast will be placed with a #8 round lab bur with the slow speed handpiece

12. Cusp Tips: Cone for the buccal cusp tip of #20
In an excursive movement there should be no contact

13. Cusp Tips:
All cones are in place on the mandibular teeth in the areas of the buccal and lingual cusp tips

14. Triangular Ridges:
The inner and outer aspects of the teeth are filled in with red wax
Note the orientation of the triangular ridges

15. Marginal Ridges
Teeth are complete except for the addition of the marginal ridges
The mesial and distal cusp ridges are created by using blue wax

16. Waxing Completed Mandibular teeth are waxed to completion
Note the ability to see all the various colors of wax that were utilized to create the tooth

17. Check Occlusion with zinc Stearate
Initial dusting with the zinc stearate

18. Check Contacts
Contacts shown with Zinc Stearate

19. Check Contacts
Heavy occlusal contact noted by the red arrow
Remember the contacts should be in the correct location and of equal size and shape

20. Check contacts
Zinc Stearate powder indicates an contact on the distal aspect of the cusp tip.
Is this contact misplaced??

21. Check Contacts
Contacts on the marginal ridges of the premolar and the molar
Ideally this contact should be in a more buccal position

22. Check Contacts
Note contacts in the central fossa region on the molar
What opposing structure created this mark?

23. Check Contacts
The casts are placed in a working movement. Note the areas where the maxillary teeth contact the wax-up.
Should there be contacts??

24. Check Contacts
Red pointer marks an interference on the buccal cusp