Occlusal registration is the reproduction of a patient's bite using which materials?

• A. Wax or elastomeric material
• B. Alginate only
• C. Resin composite
• D. Wax or resin

Answer: (A)

Occlusal registration records the relationship between the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are in contact, so you need a material that can be shaped to the bite and then stay accurate as the casts are mounted. Wax bite registration works well because it can be softened, adapted in the mouth, and then harden to hold the bite position. Elastomeric bite registration materials, like silicone or polyether, are especially reliable when you need high dimensional stability and precise detail after setting. These materials effectively capture the occlusal contacts and the vertical dimension needed for mounting models on an articulator. Alginate is mainly for preliminary impressions and tends to distort over time, making it less suitable for precise bite records. Resin composites are strong restorative materials, not used for recording bite relationships. So the best choice reflects the common use of wax or elastomeric materials to reproduce a patient’s bite accurately.