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What we make · Wax-up

Diagnostic wax-up

A planned blueprint of the intended result — something to preview, to mock up in the mouth, to guide your preparation, and to turn into provisionals that already match the plan.

A diagnostic wax-up showing the planned tooth shapes for a case
A wax-up is where the plan becomes concrete — before a bur touches a tooth, you and the patient can see and test the intended result.

What it is, and how you'll use it

A diagnostic wax-up is the intended result, built as a model, before treatment. It earns its keep four ways: it previews the case, it produces an in-mouth mock-up the patient can approve, it guides your preparation (reduction against the planned shape, not the old tooth), and it becomes the matrix for provisionals.

What we need to build one

  • A scan or impression of the current situation, plus the opposing arch and bite.
  • Photos where aesthetics matter.
  • A clear goal — how many units, what you're changing, and the shape and length you're after.
  • Whether you want a mock-up / provisional matrix with it.
How we think about it

A wax-up is the cheapest place to get the plan right — on a model, not in the mouth. Spend the detail here and prep, provisionals and the final all inherit it.

How we handle it

The wax-up is planning, not a clinical diagnosis — the treatment decisions stay yours. Our doctor-led QC checks it against your records and goal, and it can flow straight into a shade-matched final restoration when you're ready.

Request a wax-up

Send a scan and your goal, get a case number and a status you can follow, and message us on the case itself.

Submit a case →

Frequently asked questions

What is a diagnostic wax-up for?
A planned blueprint of the intended result. You use it to preview the case, produce an in-mouth mock-up, guide your preparation, and make provisionals that match the plan.
What do you need to make one?
A scan or impression, photos where aesthetics matter, and a clear goal — how many units, what you're changing, and the shape and length you're aiming for.
Can I get a mock-up matrix from it?
Yes. The wax-up can come with a matrix for a chairside mock-up and for temporaries, so the plan transfers cleanly to the mouth.
Written by the Jaw Experts lab team and reviewed by a qualified dentist on our QC team. Guidance here is general and meant to support your own clinical judgment, not replace it.