Occlusal Rim
A wax or resin block mounted on a baseplate, used to record jaw relationships and establish tooth position guides before denture teeth are set.
Full Definition
An occlusal rim (also called a bite rim or wax rim) is a contoured block of baseplate wax or other material attached to a record base, used in the complete denture and removable partial denture fabrication sequence to record and communicate jaw relationships, lip support, midline, smile line, and occlusal plane information from the clinical environment to the dental laboratory. Technicians use the returned occlusal rims as guides for setting denture teeth. Editors should distinguish 'occlusal rim' from 'occlusal splint,' which is a finished therapeutic appliance, and from 'baseplate,' which is the foundation the rim sits upon.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred term is 'occlusal rim'; 'bite rim' and 'wax rim' are acceptable synonyms but should be standardised within any single document.
In Context
- "The clinician returned the adjusted occlusal rims with the lip line and midline marked for the tooth-setting stage." — Denture fabrication case notes
- "Ensure all references to 'bite rims' in the protocol are standardised to 'occlusal rims' per the house style guide." — Editorial review