wax-up
A diagnostic or working model in which dental wax is sculpted over a cast to simulate the planned contours of a restoration or full-mouth rehabilitation.
Full Definition
A wax-up is a three-dimensional wax model built on study or working casts to visualise and refine the intended final shape of one or more restorations before any irreversible clinical or laboratory procedure is undertaken. Diagnostic wax-ups inform treatment planning and patient communication, while working wax-ups serve as the direct pattern from which the final casting or pressing mould is made. In laboratory correspondence, 'wax-up' is always hyphenated as a compound noun or attributive adjective. Editors must not render it as 'waxup' (closed) or 'wax up' (open) when it functions as a noun.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate as a noun or adjective modifier ('wax-up', 'wax-up appointment'). As a verb phrase ('to wax up the model'), leave open. Flag closed-form 'waxup' as a spelling error.
In Context
- "The diagnostic wax-up was scanned and used to fabricate a chairside mock-up for patient approval." — Treatment Planning Documentation
- "Ensure 'wax-up' is hyphenated throughout the manuscript; the open form 'wax up' is a verb phrase only." — Copy-Editing Style Note