A denture bite rim or bite rim is a type of bite block that can capture more than a patient’s bite. They help the dental technician select tooth size and shape, determine the correct position of the incisal edges of the teeth, and create an aesthetic gingival contour for the denture. The occlusal edge is created with wax just above the patient’s crest. This is the most stable position for adjusting denture function and wear. Biterim also captures the patient’s vertical occlusal dimension or VDO. The vertical distance between the upper and lower jaws when natural or artificial teeth are properly fitted. A good VDO appears as the normal position of the patient’s nose, lips and chin. Excessive VDO can make the patient look like he has something stuck in his mouth and he may not be able to close his lips around the occlusal margin. A poor VDO will make the patient’s mouth appear squashed, the chin too close to the nose and the corners of the lips drooping. 

In some cases, it may be necessary for a technician to block undercuts in the master-the cast during baseplate manufacture to prevent breakage during bite rim manufacture. This may cause the baseplate to feel a little loose in your mouth. A small amount of denture adhesive may need to be used for fitting appointments. Once the prosthesis has been processed, the fit will be correct.

How are these bite blocks prepared professionally?

• Step 1: Measure the patient’s VDO before trying Vitrim. If the patient has an old prosthesis, place dots on the patient’s nose and chin. Note the distance between the two points. If the patient has worn out old teeth or is edentulous, estimate the VDO and determine the correct position based on how the wax rim looks and feels in the mouth. You can add or remove wax from the rim as needed until you have the exact measurements you noted.
• Step 2: Next, you should check the lip support that wax rims provide. View the patient’s profile. The edge of the wax rim should coincide with the incisal edge of the upper front teeth. Allow the patient to speak while wearing the biterim. Determine if Edge is in a comfortable place to talk and laugh. This is especially important if you want to correct your patient’s natural Class II or Class III bite. Add wax as needed or remove wax from the margin to achieve a correct incisal edge.
• Step 3: Check the occlusal plane by ensuring that the edge of the upper wax rim is straight and not slanted to one side or the other. When you smile, the incision should evenly cover the lip line. If correction is required, mark the correct occlusal plane by drawing a line in the wax or drawing with a felt-tip pen. Mark the midline by drawing a line in the wax exactly in the middle of the patient’s face. Also mark the approximate position of the canine teeth. This should be approximately the same as when the patient’s mouth corners are still. Mark the height of the lips when the patient smiles. This will determine the correct height of the selected tooth. Once all measurements have been recorded, place the impression material on the lower wax her rim and guide the patient into a central position.

When making primary dentures, a photo of the patient’s face helps the dental technician select the correct tooth size and shape. Write down the patient’s specific needs and expectations. Finally, don’t forget to write down the shade you want.