The role of prognostic wax-up and the preliminary mock-up for the final outcome of the prosthetic treatment

Background: Use of wax-up and mock-up is absolutely obligatory in modern dentistry. It is essential in cases of rehabilitation, connected with changes in shape, volume, vertical dimension, as well as severe forms of abrasion.

The aim of the lecture is to acquaint the audience with the different stages of complete restoration in achieving optimal clinical result, as well as to specify the terms used in the specialized literature.

Materials and methods: The materials used in the consecutive stages of treatment are: various kinds of gypsum models, wax and silicone “keys”. A brief classification of the mock-up materials, as well as the temporary cements will be presented.

Results and discussion: The patient is able to see the future changes at a very early stage and it is possible to participate actively in the creation of the new restoration. The audience will be acquainted with the application of different types of digital smile design software as well. A detailed analysis of the mock-up materials and their role as prototypes will be done. It is important patient’s opinion to be under statement from functional and esthetical point of view, because at this stage, corrections can still be done, before the treatment is finished.

Conclusion: Inclusion of wax-up, digital smile design, preliminary mock-up as mandatory elements of the prosthetic treatment is a reliable tool of communication both with the dental laboratory and patient, reducing to its minimum the stress in manufacturing the final restorations.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ilian Hristov

Assoc-prof. Ilian Vangelov Hristov, PhD, was born in 1971. He graduated the English Language School of Plovdiv in 1990. He started his higher education in the Faculty of Dental Medicine the same year. In 1996 graduated the Medical University with a master degree. In 1998 started his specialization in Prosthodontics. Dr Hristov has a second specialty of General dentistry as well. In 2000 year he started his scientific career as an assistant-professor in the department of Prosthetic dentistry. He passed all hierarchical levels – assistant-professor, senior and chief assistant-professor. He’s been responsible for the scientific work of the department for five years. In 2017 he got his PhD with a thesis: “Comparative analysis of soft relining materials and ways of coping with their shortcomings”. In 2018 he’s been nominated as an assoc-professor in the department of Prosthetic dentistry. Dr Hristov reads lectures of Precinics of Prosthetic dentistry to the English language students – second course. A regular participant in many congresses and summits in Bulgaria and abroad. Official reviewer for the scientific journals: Folia Medica and Dentistry Journal. Lots of his articles are published in Bulgarian and English. His scientific interests are oriented in the fields of: relining materials; implantology; impression materials and techniques; preparation and prevention of hard dental tissues; luting agents and cements and their clinical application. Dr Hristov has participated in many qualification courses including one in Germany /Haereus Kulzer/ and one in Italy /Zhermack/. He is an active member of Bulgarian Dental Union and Bulgarian Scientific Dental Society.