Challenges in the workflow of a digital diagnostic wax-up: a case report

This case report demonstrates the use of digital technology to communicate with the dental laboratory during the diagnostic and fabrication phases of veneers. Digital technology has made significant advances in dentistry in the last 25 years, and there is great potential for its use in new methods for achieving excellent final restorations. One of these methods involves the use of digital technology in the diagnostic wax-up phase of dental treatment. The wax-up is a valuable, sometimes necessary tool in the cosmetic treatment plan. This esthetic preview allows the clinician to assess and adjust the function, shape, outline, and color of the restoration and to seek the patient's approval for the prosthetic design. The case reviewed in this report involved the fabrication of veneers to restore small maxillary lateral incisors. Digital scans of the existing dentition were sent to the dental laboratory with the request for a digital diagnostic wax-up. The laboratory printed 3-dimensional (3D) models and completed a conventional diagnostic wax-up. After the design was approved by the patient, the maxillary lateral incisors were prepared intraorally, the arch was digitally scanned, and the scans were sent to the dental laboratory with the request for veneer fabrication. The final restorations were made to the specifications of the digital diagnostic wax-up using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. The veneer restorations were delivered, and the patient was satisfied with the result. In this case, the dental laboratory completed a conventional diagnostic wax-up from 3D-printed models. Further software improvements might allow easier virtual alteration of existing teeth and thereby enable a fully digital workflow.