What is used to register a bite and ensure proper occlusion?

To register a bite and ensure proper occlusion, bite registration paste is utilized due to its unique properties that allow it to capture an accurate impression of the patient's occlusion. This material is specially designed to record the positional relationship of the dental arches when the patient bites down. It sets to a firm consistency, providing a stable record that dental practitioners can use to assess and adjust the alignment of dental restorations, such as crowns and bridges, ensuring they fit harmoniously within the patient's occlusion.

In contrast, articulating paper is primarily used after a restoration is placed to check the contact points and bit interactions, rather than to register the bite itself. Try in prostheses involves evaluating how a denture or a prosthetic device fits, but it’s not a method for capturing the occlusal relationship. A wax knife is a tool used to manipulate wax, typically for creating a custom impression tray or for other modeling tasks in dentistry, but it is not used for bite registration. Thus, bite registration paste stands out as the most appropriate and effective choice for obtaining an accurate occlusal record.