Which type of impression is known as a bite registration?

A bite registration is specifically designed to capture the occlusal relationship between the upper and lower dental arches. This type of impression provides crucial information about how the teeth come together, which is essential for various dental procedures, including the fabrication of crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Elastomeric impressions are particularly effective for bite registrations because they are flexible yet stable, allowing for accurate detail capture of the occlusal surfaces and interdigitation. They are made from elastomeric materials that can accurately register the fine details of the occlusion, which is vital for ensuring proper fit and function in restorative and orthodontic treatments.

The other types of impressions mentioned do not serve the specific function of accurately capturing occlusal relationships in the same way that elastomeric impressions do. Final impressions are used to create exact replicas for prosthetics but do not focus on the bite relationship like a bite registration is designed to do. Preliminary impressions are generally used for diagnostics and treatment planning rather than capturing the precise occlusal relationship. Functional impressions are tailored to capture the dynamics of the dental arch in function but differ from the specific intent and application of a bite registration.