If you’re a dentist looking to improve the accuracy of your bite registrations and achieve better denture outcomes, Squash Bites can make a significant difference. Bite registration plays a crucial role in denture provision, helping to ensure the final prosthetic fits comfortably and functions correctly. However, traditional methods, such as using silicone, can cause problems during articulation in the lab, often leading to ill-fitting dentures that require multiple adjustments.
By refining your bite registration techniques and adopting Squash Bites, you can improve patient outcomes and minimise common denture-fitting challenges. This small but vital adjustment can help you deliver better results while reducing the need for costly and time-consuming remakes.
Why Squash Bites Matter in Denture Success
One of the biggest challenges in denture provision is ensuring an accurate occlusion. A poorly taken bite registration can cause several issues, including:
- Dentures that feel uncomfortable or unstable.
- Occlusion discrepancies that make chewing difficult.
- Extended adjustment periods that frustrate both patients and clinicians.
Many dentists use silicone for bite registration because it captures fine detail. However, silicone is too rigid to accommodate minor adjustments, which can cause articulation problems in the lab. This often results in dentures that don’t align correctly, requiring time-consuming modifications or even remakes.
Squash Bites, which use softened wax instead of silicone, provide a more adaptable solution. Wax is flexible, allowing for small refinements that improve articulation and lead to a more precise fit. This method is particularly useful when patients have missing teeth or when full dentures are required.
Dos and Don’ts of Squash Bites
Making small changes to your bite registration process can dramatically improve the outcome of your denture prescriptions. Here are the key dos and don’ts when using Squash Bites:
Do: Use Wax Instead of Silicone
Wax is far more forgiving than silicone. Its malleable nature allows for slight discrepancies to be adjusted during articulation, leading to a more accurate final fit.
Do: Heat the Wax Correctly
For the best results, warm the wax in a digital bottle warmer set between 53–54°C. This ensures the wax is soft enough to capture the bite without becoming too runny or unstable.
Do: Ensure Proper Contact Points
When a patient has missing teeth, slightly rolling the wax before placing it in the mouth can help achieve better contact points. Always instruct the patient to close gently and naturally to avoid distorting the bite.
Do: Let the Wax Cool Fully
Removing the wax too quickly can cause distortions, making the bite registration inaccurate. Allowing the wax to cool in disinfectant helps it set in the correct shape and provides a stable reference for the lab.
Don’t: Rely Solely on Silicone
Silicone might offer a detailed impression, but its rigidity makes it unsuitable for accurate articulation. Squash Bites with wax give better results by allowing slight adjustments during the denture-making process.
Don’t: Overlook Final Adjustments in the Lab
Even with a good bite registration, models should always be checked in the lab. Small refinements can make a significant difference in how well the final dentures fit.
How Squash Bites Help Dentists Improve Denture Prescriptions
Bite registration is one of the most common causes of denture-fitting problems. Many dentists aren’t trained in the technical side of denture-making, which makes it harder to know which methods work best. Squash Bites offer a simple solution that bridges the gap between what happens in the clinic and what happens in the lab.
By using Squash Bites, you can:
- Improve the accuracy of your bite registrations.
- Reduce the number of adjustments and remakes.
- Ensure better-fitting, more comfortable dentures for your patients.
Adopting this method doesn’t require advanced training—just a small change in technique that can have a big impact on the quality of your denture prescriptions.
Better Bite Registration, Better Dentures
Many common denture issues stem from bite registration errors. By incorporating Squash Bites into your workflow, you can improve articulation, reduce the need for adjustments, and enhance patient satisfaction. This technique provides a more reliable reference for the lab, helping to create dentures that fit comfortably and perform better from the outset.
If you’re a dentist looking to refine your approach to denture prescriptions, Squash Bites offer a practical, straightforward solution. By understanding and adopting this method, you can achieve consistently better results and give your patients the well-fitting, comfortable dentures they deserve.
