Geometrical effects of conventional and digital prosthodontic planning wax-ups on lateral occlusal contact number, contact area, and steepness

Abstract

This study evaluated and compared the effect of conventional and digital wax-ups on three lateral occlusion variables: contact number, contact area, and steepness. Dental casts of 10 patients with Angle Class I relationship were included in the study. All patients required fixed prosthodontic treatment that would affect lateral occlusion. The casts of all patients received conventional and digital wax-ups. For pretreatment, conventional wax-up, and digital wax-up casts, contact number, contact area, and occlusion steepness were measured at four lateral positions, that is, at excursions of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mm from maximal intercuspation. Lateral occlusion scheme variables were affected by use of diagnostic wax-ups. For all types of casts, contact number decreased as excursion increased. The two types of wax-ups had similar contact number patterns, and contact number was significantly greater for these casts than for pretreatment casts in the earlier stages of excursion. Similarly, contact area gradually decreased with increasing excursion in the pretreatment and conventional and digital wax-up casts. There was only a minimal decrease in occlusion steepness as excursion increased. However, lateral occlusion was generally steeper for digital wax-up casts.

Restoration of localised erosive wear using a combination of dental materials: a conservative approach

“…When ceramic veneers are planned, the already reduced coronal structure of teeth with erosive wear will be significantly preserved if a diagnostic wax up is performed first. This diagnostic wax up (conventional or digital) (13) will be produced based on functional and aesthetic guidelines and will be used to create "aesthetic pre-evaluative temporaries (APT)" (14) . The APT (or diagnostic mock-up) are an important part of the patient consent to the treatment before any intervention, but will also assist in minimally invasive preparations; burs of known thickness are used to initiate the preparations with the APT in place, thus creating enough space for the veneers based on the diagnostic plan (15) .…”

Importance of Diagnostic Waxing in Oral Rehabilitation: Case Report

“…For this objective to be achieved, there must be an understanding of the patient's needs and effective communication between the team. Patient involvement in the decision-making process regarding the treatment plan is essential, and professionals must understand the desires and expectations, just as the patient must recognize the limitations of his or her case 6,7 .…”