Wax Mockups - About Porcelain Veneers

Wax Mock-ups Are an Essential Communication Tool of
Cosmetic Dentists and Cosmetic Dental Laboratories

An elaborate wax mock-up is life-like.
Patients appreciate them, but they can be more expensive.

Wax Mock-ups Represent a Cosmetic Treatment Plan

Wax mock-ups are built on the original model that has been trimmed to reflect the restoration type preparation - i.e. veneers, crown & bridge or implants. White wax is used to create an often quite life-like representation of a case. Pink wax or silicone may also be used in the tissue area for esthetics. A thin coat of bonding agent makes the wax shine.
This wax mock-up was created by a talented ceramist. It accurately represents a final case involving 8 porcelain veneers. Shaded waxes may be used too, as was in this case.
Patients appreciate these elaborately styled wax mock-ups and mock-ups can certainly increase treatment acceptance, but they can be more expensive too. These models can cost up to $30 per unit.

porcelain veneer styles

Mock-ups are easily adjusted by dentists

Wax Mock-ups Designs are Easily Adjusted

Wax is easy to adjust by the dentist or laboratory. The dentist can modify the wax until the contour is ideal. Teeth can be made longer or wider, more masculine or feminine, to suit individual cases. It is much more difficult and often impossible to make adjustments in porcelain once the veneers are completed.
The image on the left illustrates two design styles; a neutral design wax mock-up and a more masculine design below.

Standard mock-ups are routinely used and inexpensive.

A Well Designed Standard Wax Mock-up is Inexpensive

As a matter of routine, wax mock-ups are created from white wax. This beautiful and life-like design represents full upper restorations, 10 veneers and posterior crowns. Dentists can articulate these models and observe function when considering lower teeth adjustments. Patients more easily understand the goals of complex dentisty and provide treatment acceptance. For the cosmetic clinician, this type of mock-up is used routinely and are not expensive.

The following labs have the ability to produce high quality wax mock-ups as part of a comprehensive case design.