A diagnostic wax-up is the “blue print” to creating a beautiful smile when teeth are either missing, cracked, worn or misaligned. A stone model of the existing teeth is created by taking an impression and pouring it up with stone. This stone model is then adjusted and modified with white wax and carved back to simulate the smile that the patient desires. The dental lab technician uses the computerized smile simulation that was created for the patient to mold and shape the smile to the patient’s desired outcome. The patient and doctor then meet again to go over the diagnostic wax-up and get the patient’s approval.

The patient is always involved in the planning for the smile restoration and is encouraged to share their feelings. For instance, you may want the teeth longer, shorter, rounder, thinner, etc. – during the wax-up stage you have complete control over the final porcelain restorations without touching any teeth. Once you have accepted the smile design template created in wax, you make an appointment to begin preparing the teeth for dental crowns, veneers, bridges, or implants – depending on what your existing dental foundation consists of. A temporary restoration is made using a mold

of the diagnostic wax-up so that the temporary looks exactly like the diagnostic wax-up. The temporary is made of a high-tech resin modified acrylic and again, you have a say whether you are happy with the temporary restoration. The temporary can be modified just like the wax was was to ensure you are completely happy with your new smile.

After all modifications have been made to your specifications and you are completely happy with your temporary restoration, Dr. Michael takes a mold of the approved temporary restoration and sends it to his dental lab to use as a guide for the final porcelain dental restorations.