In every dental practice, there comes a moment when something doesn’t go quite to plan. One of the most common — and often stressful — situations is when a patient arrives for their denture jaw registration appointment, but the lab has forgotten to provide the bite registration block. The patient is in the chair, the clock is ticking, and you need a solution immediately. This is where knowing how to make an emergency bite registration block can truly save the day.
As a Clinical Dental Technician with over 15 years of hands-on experience, I’ve refined a reliable, fast method for creating a bite block chairside. It may seem daunting at first, especially under pressure, but with a bit of practice, you’ll find it’s a straightforward and highly valuable skill.
What Is a Bite Registration Block?
A bite registration block (also known as an occlusion rim) is used to record the patient’s bite — specifically the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and centric relation. This step is essential in the creation of full dentures. Without an accurate bite registration, the final dentures may not fit properly, leading to poor function and patient discomfort.
When Might You Need an Emergency Block?
Emergency bite blocks are especially useful when:
- The lab forgets to send a bite block.
- The original block is lost or damaged.
- You need to remake a registration on the spot.
- There is no time to send off for a replacement.
Having a quick, chairside solution means you can continue treatment without rescheduling or frustrating the patient.
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need a full dental laboratory to carry out this procedure. Just gather the following:
- Baseplate wax (ideally medium or hard wax)
- Wax knife or scalpel
- Heated instrument (a Bunsen burner, spirit lamp or induction heater)
- Lower denture base or custom tray
- Optional: Lacron carver for refinement
- Gloves and a cool surface (e.g. a cold glass slab or metal tray)
Step-by-Step: Making a Chairside Emergency Bite Block
1. Prepare the Denture Base
Use a lower denture base that fits the patient’s mouth comfortably. It could be an existing baseplate or a trial base already prepared for the visit.
2. Soften and Apply Wax
Cut strips of baseplate wax and gently heat them until they are pliable, but not dripping. Press them firmly onto the denture base, building up a rim approximately 8–10 mm high. Focus on stability and even thickness.
3. Shape the Wax Rim
With your wax knife or fingers (gloved), shape the wax into the classic horseshoe form. Make sure it follows the curve of the arch, and build slightly higher in the molar regions. Check that it does not impinge on soft tissues.
4. Cool and Refine
Allow the wax to cool and set slightly. Use your Lacron carver or knife to refine the shape if needed. The block should be symmetrical, comfortable, and stable in the mouth.
5. Proceed with Jaw Registration
Once the block is shaped, check the fit intraorally. You can now proceed with recording the bite, vertical height, and centric relation — all without delay.
Final Thoughts
Making an emergency bite registration block doesn’t require lab access or fancy equipment — just the right materials and a calm, methodical approach. With a bit of practice, this chairside technique can become second nature and will prove invaluable when time is short and patient care can’t wait.
Every dental professional should have this trick up their sleeve — because when things go wrong, knowing how to act quickly is just as important as the tools you use.
Check out our YouTube Video for more information.
