Bite registration materials should primarily exhibit which property to ensure occlusion accuracy after seating?

• A. Dimensional instability after setting
• B. Resistance to displacement during closure
• C. Low tear resistance
• D. High flow under minimal pressure

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that bite registration material must hold the captured jaw relationship firmly when the patient closes and bites down. During seating, the teeth apply forces that can push the material out of place. If the material moves or deforms under those forces, the recorded occlusion won’t match the true relationship of the arches. Therefore, a bite registration material that resists displacement during closure preserves accuracy, ensuring the relation between maxilla and mandible remains as recorded for accurate mounting and articulation.

If a material were dimensionally unstable after setting, the recorded relationship could change even after seating. Tear-prone material could tear during removal, introducing errors, and a material that flows easily under minimal pressure would distort the contact record.