Short answer
A trial smile is a temporary resin model of your new teeth placed over your own teeth, so you can see and feel the result before anything permanent is done. Digital smile design is the on-screen plan behind it. At IST Smile Experts in Istanbul you get a digital preview from your photos before you travel, a trial smile in the clinic when your case suits it, and a try-in of the final veneers that you approve before bonding.
Digital smile preview from your photos · E-Max veneers €235 per tooth
Send photos for a written planNothing is final until your examination in Istanbul.Why patients ask for a trial smile in 2026
The biggest fear around veneers in Turkey is ending up with teeth that look too big, too white or simply not like you. A trial smile answers that before a single tooth is touched. It also protects your enamel: when the planned shape sits over your teeth, the dentist can see exactly where space is needed and keep preparation to a minimum. Read more about Turkey teeth vs a natural result.
Digital preview vs physical trial smile
| Digital smile design preview | Physical trial smile (mock-up) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An on-screen plan of tooth shape and proportions | Tooth-coloured resin placed over your own teeth |
| When | Before you travel, from photos and video | In the clinic, after examination and scans |
| What you judge | Overall proportions and smile line | Real length, shape, lip support and how it feels when you speak |
| Limits | A picture, not a guarantee | Temporary and slightly thicker than final ceramics |
| Drilling | None | None |
How the process works at IST Smile Experts
- Photos and video on WhatsApp. A natural smile, a wide smile, close-ups and a short talking video.
- Digital plan and estimate. Our Clinical Team reviews your face and teeth and sends a preliminary plan and written estimate.
- Examination in Istanbul. Teeth, gums and bite are checked and imaged before the plan is confirmed.
- Trial smile. When your case suits it, the planned shape is placed over your teeth. You look, speak, smile and request changes.
- Conservative preparation. Only the enamel the approved shape needs is removed. See preparation levels.
- Laboratory work. E-Max veneers are made to the approved design.
- Try-in. You see the final ceramics in daylight and approve shape and shade.
- Bonding and bite check. Veneers are bonded and your bite is adjusted.
The whole veneer process usually takes 5 to 7 days in Istanbul. See E-Max veneers in Turkey and all-inclusive veneer packages.
What happens after you message us
- Send photos of your smile, and an X-ray if you have one, on WhatsApp.
- Within 12 hours our Clinical Team replies with a written plan, an itemised price and the number of days you need.
- Choose your dates. With a package we arrange your hotel and VIP transfers. The plan is confirmed at your examination in Istanbul, before any treatment starts.
How to send photos for an accurate smile preview
- Daylight facing a window, no flash, no filters or beauty mode
- Full face with a relaxed natural smile, then your widest smile
- Close-up of the front teeth, lips apart, teeth slightly apart
- Side view of your smile from left and right
- A 10-second video of you talking and smiling naturally
- Any recent dental X-ray, if you have one
Who benefits most
- Anyone unsure about length, shape or how white to go
- Patients replacing old veneers or crowns they never liked (veneer replacement)
- Cases with gaps, short or worn teeth, or an uneven smile line
- Patients choosing between bonding and veneers
Frequently asked questions
What is a trial smile?
A trial smile, also called a mock-up, is a temporary model of your planned new teeth placed over your own teeth with tooth-coloured resin. It lets you see and feel the shape and length of the new smile in your own face before any permanent work is done, and it is removed afterwards.
What is digital smile design?
Digital smile design uses photos, video and scans of your face and teeth to plan tooth shape, length and proportions on screen. It gives you and the Clinical Team a shared visual plan before treatment and guides the laboratory and the mock-up.
Is an AI smile preview the same as the final result?
No. An AI or digital preview is a planning picture. Your real result depends on your teeth, gums, bite and the ceramic chosen. The physical trial smile and the try-in of the final veneers are the stages that show you the true result.
Does a trial smile damage my teeth?
No. A mock-up is placed over your teeth without drilling and is removed after you have seen it. It also helps keep preparation minimal, because the dentist only removes enamel where the planned shape needs space.
Can I change the shape after the trial smile?
Yes, that is the purpose. Length, edge shape, width and symmetry can be adjusted at the mock-up stage. Shade is confirmed at the try-in of the final ceramics, before anything is permanently bonded.
Can I get a smile preview before travelling to Istanbul?
Yes. Send clear photos and a short video on WhatsApp. Our Clinical Team prepares a preliminary plan and estimate from them. The physical trial smile is done in the clinic after your examination.
Is a trial smile included in the price?
In our veneer packages, smile design and try-in approval are part of the plan. Ask us what is included for your case and it will be listed in your written quote.
See your new smile before you book a flight
Send your photos and a short video. We will reply with a digital plan and a written estimate.
Request my smile preview