Smile Design

Digital & Traditional Wax-Ups

Our team combines digital and traditional wax-up techniques to support precise restorative and cosmetic treatment planning.
Using intraoral scans or scanned impressions, we generate detailed 3D models of the patient’s dentition to simulate:
- Crown preparations
- Extractions
- Proposed restorations
Digital wax-ups with printed models and putty keys allow clinicians to:
- Plan treatments with greater accuracy
- Evaluate functional and aesthetic outcomes
- Present patients with a tangible preview of their new smile
This protocol enhances dentist-patient communication, ensures predictable results, and supports optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes.
From these printed wax-up models, we also fabricate:
- Putty keys
- Vacuum-formed temporary stents
- Both are valuable tools to achieve more accurate, consistent, and predictable restorative results.

smile-design-protocol-Live-Dental-Studio-Ottawa

Smile design protocols:

Digital Smile Design is a powerful tool to plan aesthetic cases and help patients visualize their smile makeover. To submit a Smile Design case at Live Dental Studio, please provide the following:

Step 1: Full Face Photo

While a digital design can look great on the computer, we want it to look great when the patient smiles. Please take a photo that is:

Full face (not just the mouth).
Head straight, not rotated left or right
Big natural smile (teeth not biting together)
Eyes parallel to the floor

Additional photos are welcome but not mandatory. Email photos to: digital@livedentalstudio.com

Step 2: Intra-Oral Scan or Impression

To design the smile, we need an impression of the patient’s current teeth.

Digital scans are preferred
If no intraoral scanner is available, we can scan physical impressions or poured models
Ensure all relevant information, including bite registration, is captured accurately

Physical impressions can be sent to:
Live Dental Studio
346 Moodie Dr.
Ottawa, ON, K2M0J4