A simple method to ensure sufficient occlusal reduction in fixed prosthodontics

Tooth preparations for full coverage restorations must ensure there is adequate occlusal clearance to accommodate the restorative material, in both static and functional occlusion. The shape of the prepared occlusal surface should also be contoured to ensure that the created "space to restore" is evenly distributed so that the restoration will be of a uniform thickness. Many of the methods described in the literature are difficult to use clinically, especially in posterior lingual and palatal regions. This article describes how a modification of the wax wafer technique can be used to identify the exact areas of the tooth that need reduction in order to achieve the desired clearance.