Flame to Furnace: Turning Up the Heat in Dentistry

Fabricated Dentures

The initial stages of denture fabrication required softening and manipulation of baseplate and set-up wax. An alcohol torch was used to soften and smooth the wax. A Bunsen burner was used to heat the spatula for easier carving of the wax. The softened wax was: 1) used to make the denture base plate, 2) carved to imitate realistic gingival (gum) features and contours around the teeth, and 3) otherwise worked to allow the placement and adjustments needed to align denture teeth along the wax rim.

Shown here are several heating devices, and other material, used by dentists when making a denture wax-up, including base plate wax, set-up wax, wax spatulas, alcohol torches, and Bunsen burners and warmers.

Tylman, S.D. and Tylman, S.G. 1960 Theory and Practice of Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics, Mosby Publshing.

Wax

Pink Base Plate wax (A395.5), LD Caulk Co
Base plate wax was used to simulate the shape of the patient’s palate and bony ridges.

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Family of Linus J Kirkhoff, DDS, P&S Class of 1925

Set-Up wax, Dentists’ Supply Co of New York, c. 1940
Set-up wax was used along the denture rim to position the teeth, and to create a natural appearance of the gums.

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Unknown

Dr Ambler Tees’s continuous gum spatulas
When heated, these spatulas were used to modify set-up wax into a natural gum appearance.

Sales ad, Hettinger Bros Mfg Co Illustrated catalogue of dental supplies, 1901 (D536.1)
University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Robert Reid, DDS, P&S Class of 1951

Selection of wax spatulas
When heated, these spatulas were used to modify set-up wax into a natural gum appearance and to position the teeth along the denture rim.

Sales ad, Hettinger Bros Mfg Co Illustrated catalogue of dental supplies, 1901 (D536.1)
University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Robert Reid, DDS, P&S Class of 1951

Dr WH Dorrance’s wax carving spatula & other supplies

Sales ad, James W Edwards’ Illustrated catalogue of dental instruments and materials, c. 1894
University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Unknown

Alcohol Torches

Rubber bulb alcohol torch, Hanau Engineering Co, c. 1930

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Paul F Sikora, DDS, P&S Class of 1908

Rubber bulb alcohol torch, Steffan & Rohrer Mfg Co
“A sensitive efficient alcohol torch of simplified design, for the heat treatment of impression compound and wax, and for fine soldering” (written on product box)

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Unknown

Rubber bulb alcohol torch (A110.2), Hanau Engineering Co, c. 1930
Unlike its predecessors, this alcohol torch featured an easily adjustable wick and a wind guard attachment (not shown).

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Unknown

Bunsen Burners and Warmers

Clawfoot Bunsen burner base (A231.4), SS White Dental Mfg Co, c. 1890s

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Unknown

“Spider” Bunsen burner with rubber tubing (A105.1), Buffalo Dental Mfg Co

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Unknown

“Perfection” Bunsen warmer (A231.5), Manning Bowman & Co, Pat. 1898

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Unknown

“Rochester” Bunsen warmer, Pat. 1904

University of the Pacific Permanent Collection, Donor: Unknown