Waxing Teeth: Creating Anatomically and Functionally Correct 3D Dental Models

What does it mean to wax a tooth? Creating dental wax-ups is a procedure utilized across the field of dentistry among professionals, lab technicians, and even dental students. The process of waxing a tooth involves many steps, instruments, and knowledge of dental anatomy. To simplify, waxing a tooth involves utilizing dental wax and heat to create a three dimensional model of a specific tooth and its anatomy. This process is often used in education of dental students in an attempt to teach essential skills needed in a dental career. Dental waxing can help students learn specific anatomical differences between teeth and how varying teeth work together aesthetically and functionally (Abdalla 2018). This process involves diving into characteristics of teeth involving heights of contour, convex and concave surfaces, marginal ridges, embrasures, and point angles. Such skills and knowledge, as mentioned by Dr. Ticole Nguyen, were essential in her education at Texas A&M’s Baylor College of Dentistry. More specifically, Dr. Nguyen stated not only does learning how to create wax ups aide students in development of their anatomical understanding, but it also provides opportunities to prepare for future procedures such as fillings and creating crowns. When a waxed up tooth is complete, it is referenced as a “working model.” The term working model is not just a term, but carries with it the detail and thought required to create a functioning and visually accurate tooth - a tooth that works (Nguyen 2015).