Question

When taking a wax bite, the patient is instructed to:

A) open wide and bite down
B) close normally and bite into wax
C) avoid biting into wax
D) bite only on one side

Answer 1

For a wax bite, the patient is instructed to close normally and bite into wax to capture the occlusal relationships of the teeth accurately.

Step-by-step explanation:

When taking a wax bite, the correct procedure is for the patient to close normally and bite into wax. This enables the dentist or orthodontist to capture the accurate occlusal relationships between the upper and lower teeth. The patient should not open wide, avoid biting into the wax, or only bite on one side; doing so would not provide the necessary information for proper diagnostics or treatment planning. This is done to create an imprint of the teeth. The wax bite is commonly used in dentistry to accurately measure the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. It helps in the fabrication of dental restorations such as crowns or dentures.