The height of occlusal registration blocks before and after jaw registration

Objectives: To assess the height of occlusal registration blocks made in dental laboratories compared with recommended dimensions. To relate these dimensions to the height of the blocks after registration of the occlusion. Methods: All occlusal registration blocks received in a complete denture clinic at the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, Sheffield, over a 1-year period were measured in height before and after registration of the occlusion. Results: The height of occlusal registration blocks as received corresponded to the recommendations in the literature. However, after registration, a significant reduction in height was seen for both maxillary and mandibular blocks. Conclusions: Occlusal registration blocks produced by laboratories are 3–4 mm too high, requiring removal of excess wax in the surgery.