What is diagnostic wax-up?

Diagnostic wax-up has become the foundation of every treatment plan in digital dentistry and advanced dental treatments with its growing popularity as it establishes the proposed outcome of function and aesthetics. A dental diagnostic wax-up is a dental tool required during dental implants and cosmetic dental procedures to get a three-dimensional model of the mouth done by using a cast taken from the impressions to get the exact mold of the patient’s mouth. This procedure allows the dentists to see what procedures are required on your teeth to make better judgment on treatment. This procedure is recommended for cosmetic dentistry however, functionality is equally crucial which is where the wax-up comes up as a dentist can perform procedures, like crowns and veneers, without affecting the patient’s bite. 

It effectively aids in performing the proposed outcome of achieving both function and aesthetics, as well as bettering the performance of surgical and restorative procedures. Another use of the wax-up is to create temporary crowns, veneers and bridges to match the final product perfectly which helps the patient decide if they are happy with the appearance and feel of their new teeth before going forward with any of the procedures. Once the patient is fully satisfied with the wax-up, the final product will be created as the patient desired. 

Why should you do diagnostic wax-up? 

A diagnostic wax-up gives you the power of complete control, from start to end procedure. Since a diagnostic wax-up is an outcome-based diagnostic wax-up material, it must accurately represent the desired result of your required treatment. You’ll need a  professional service on diagnostic wax-up  as the clinician or dentist is responsible for accurately communicating with the patient to visualize the final aesthetic and functional outcome.

The laboratory’s responsibility is to create the tooth alignment, position, inclination, morphology and occlusal scheme based on the needs and expectations of patient and clinician directions. While diagnostic wax-up cost  may also increase the cost of your dental restoration, however it’s better to take the additional time and cost beforehand now instead of later when a restoration fails as it will be much more expensive to get it fixed. This is the most efficient way to ensure aesthetically pleasing work and to obtain your ideal smile. 

Here are some benefits on why you should do diagnostic wax-up: 

• Better understanding and powerful patient communication tool of what can be achieved
• Better visualization aid for determination of final aesthetics to ensure superior fit.
• Template for adequate design of tooth preparation, shapes and arch forms before treating a tooth. 
• Quick quality temporization fabrication of excellent provisional restorations Improved diagnosis of potential problems if and how worn teeth can be rebuilt, and treatment plan Improved temporary solutions. 
• For aesthetic dental restorations a matrix needs to be fabricated from the wax-up, which will be used as a mold and can help spot issues for the next step of comprehensive cosmetic dentistry. 
• Diagnostic wax-up can help quicken the treatment process by reducing the number of adjustments and minimal corrections.