Mock-Up Trial Smile

A mock-up trial smile is a temporary preview of a planned restoration, built from the Digital Smile Design and placed directly over the teeth so the proposed shape, length and proportions can be seen and felt in the mouth. It lets the patient evaluate the intended look before committing to definitive treatment, and gives the clinician feedback to refine the design. It is typically used ahead of larger aesthetic or full-arch cases.

A mock-up trial smile turns a digital plan into something the patient can actually see in their own mouth. Working from the Digital Smile Design, the clinic produces a temporary version of the proposed teeth and places it over the existing teeth, usually without any drilling, so the new shape, length, proportions and overall appearance can be assessed directly rather than only on a screen. It is essentially a dress rehearsal for the final result. This step has two main benefits. For the patient, it makes the plan tangible: it is far easier to judge and to ask for adjustments when you can see the proposed smile in place and how it sits with your lips and face. For the clinician, the patient's reaction provides concrete feedback to fine-tune the design before any permanent work begins, reducing the chance of surprises at the end. At Stomatologia na Podzamczu the mock-up follows on from DSD and is most relevant before larger aesthetic restorations and full-arch implant cases, where getting the appearance right from the outset matters. Because it is a preview rather than a finished restoration, it is removed afterwards and informs the definitive treatment that is then planned and costed. It suits patients who want certainty about how their planned smile will look before proceeding.