Diagnostic Wax-Up
How We Create Your Beautiful Smile
When a patient comes to see us to have a crown placed or get porcelain veneers, we don’t simply place them on their teeth and wish them a good day. In order to make sure that their final result is beautiful, comfortable, and functional, Dr. J. Lee Pettigrew will take a preliminary step by making something called a diagnostic wax-up.
What is a Diagnostic Wax-Up?
This is simply a model of your teeth made out of wax he can use to make sure your restorations fit perfectly. To make it, Dr. Pettigrew will first take an impression of your teeth using dental putty. This will help create the mold for the wax. After the model has been formed, he can use it to precisely shape your crown or porcelain veneers. This way, he’ll be able to show you how they look without actually having to place them on your teeth, giving you a better perspective of what your smile will look like. This also makes it much easier for Dr. Pettigrew to make any adjustments you might want.
Once you approve the model, he’ll then place temporary restorations on your teeth so that you can “test drive” your smile. If everything looks and feels like you want, he can then send the model, along with a copy of your temporaries, to a dental lab to make your final restorations.
This method ensures that you, Dr. Pettigrew, and the lab all have the same idea when it comes to your smile. It allows you to be more involved in the process, and it helps prevent little details from getting lost in transit. With the help of a diagnostic wax-up, Dr. Pettigrew can make sure you get the perfect restoration the first time, every time.
Any Questions?
Curious about what other treatments we use wax models for? Want to improve the appearance of your smile using a crown or porcelain veneers? In either case, we’d love to hear from you, so please contact our office today.