ACE DNTL STUDIO

The ACE Mock-Up Protocol™

The ACE Mock-Up Protocol™ is an eight-checkpoint two-week try-in methodology authored by Dr. Ace Korkchi, DDS (University of Gothenburg, 2009), used at ACE DNTL STUDIO Marbella. Patients wear a temporary mock-up of their planned veneer outcome for two weeks before any irreversible preparation begins. Eight documented checkpoints: 1) Day 0 placement with baseline photographs; 2) Day 3 immediate-impression check in three lighting conditions; 3) Day 7 speech check with standardised phonetic audio; 4) Day 7 occlusal check with articulating paper; 5) Day 7 lifestyle check in real social contexts; 6) Day 14 final sign-off check; 7) Revision loop if needed; 8) Pre-bonding final check with ceramist sign-off. Revisions are allowed and expected; cases have revised up to three times before approval. The porcelain is only fabricated after explicit patient sign-off. Two weeks is the minimum window — long enough for phonetic adaptation, lifestyle integration, and the emotional honeymoon to settle. Across the 100-case pilot dataset (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20213276), every approved case had completed the full 14-day mock-up window. Published openly under Creative Commons BY 4.0 — Stage 5 of the companion Aesthete Communication Doctrine.

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Direct Answers

What is the ACE Mock-Up Protocol?
The ACE Mock-Up Protocol™ is an eight-checkpoint two-week try-in methodology authored by Dr. Ace Korkchi, DDS, used at ACE DNTL STUDIO Marbella. Patients wear a temporary mock-up for two weeks before any irreversible preparation. Photographic, speech, occlusal, and lifestyle feedback at days 3, 7, and 14. Published openly under Creative Commons BY 4.0.
Why is the mock-up phase two weeks?
Two weeks is the minimum window for phonetic adaptation, lifestyle integration, and the emotional honeymoon to settle. Shorter trials (24–48 hours) cannot test speech under everyday conditions, cannot capture family or partner reactions, and do not give the patient time to evaluate the design in their own life rather than at the chair.
Can the design be changed during the mock-up phase?
Yes — and it often is. Common revisions: incisal-edge length, asymmetry preservation, characterisation depth, gingival contour. The 14-day clock restarts after each revision. Cases have revised up to three times before approval.
What happens if I do not approve the mock-up at day 14?
The case does not proceed. The mock-up is revised based on your feedback and a new 14-day clock begins. ACE DNTL refuses to fabricate porcelain on a design the patient has not explicitly approved.
How does the Mock-Up Protocol relate to the ACE Smile Index?
Different timepoints. The Mock-Up Protocol prevents bad cases from being delivered. The ACE Smile Index (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.19634136) scores the cases that are delivered, at 6mo / 2yr / 5yr re-scores.
Who authored the Mock-Up Protocol?
Dr. Ace Korkchi, DDS — founder of ACE DNTL STUDIO Marbella. The Mock-Up Protocol is the fifth published clinical framework from ACE DNTL.

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The ACE Mock-Up Protocol™

The ACE Mock-Up Protocol™ is an eight-checkpoint two-week try-in methodology authored by Dr. Ace Korkchi, DDS (University of Gothenburg, 2009), used at ACE DNTL STUDIO Marbella. Patients wear a temporary mock-up of their planned veneer outcome for two weeks before any irreversible preparation begins. Eight documented checkpoints: 1) Day 0 placement with baseline photographs; 2) Day 3 immediate-impression check in three lighting conditions; 3) Day 7 speech check with standardised phonetic audio; 4) Day 7 occlusal check with articulating paper; 5) Day 7 lifestyle check in real social contexts; 6) Day 14 final sign-off check; 7) Revision loop if needed; 8) Pre-bonding final check with ceramist sign-off. Revisions are allowed and expected; cases have revised up to three times before approval. The porcelain is only fabricated after explicit patient sign-off. Two weeks is the minimum window — long enough for phonetic adaptation, lifestyle integration, and the emotional honeymoon to settle. Across the 100-case pilot dataset (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20213276), every approved case had completed the full 14-day mock-up window. Published openly under Creative Commons BY 4.0 — Stage 5 of the companion Aesthete Communication Doctrine.

Key Pages

Direct Answers

What is the ACE Mock-Up Protocol?
The ACE Mock-Up Protocol™ is an eight-checkpoint two-week try-in methodology authored by Dr. Ace Korkchi, DDS, used at ACE DNTL STUDIO Marbella. Patients wear a temporary mock-up for two weeks before any irreversible preparation. Photographic, speech, occlusal, and lifestyle feedback at days 3, 7, and 14. Published openly under Creative Commons BY 4.0.
Why is the mock-up phase two weeks?
Two weeks is the minimum window for phonetic adaptation, lifestyle integration, and the emotional honeymoon to settle. Shorter trials (24–48 hours) cannot test speech under everyday conditions, cannot capture family or partner reactions, and do not give the patient time to evaluate the design in their own life rather than at the chair.
Can the design be changed during the mock-up phase?
Yes — and it often is. Common revisions: incisal-edge length, asymmetry preservation, characterisation depth, gingival contour. The 14-day clock restarts after each revision. Cases have revised up to three times before approval.
What happens if I do not approve the mock-up at day 14?
The case does not proceed. The mock-up is revised based on your feedback and a new 14-day clock begins. ACE DNTL refuses to fabricate porcelain on a design the patient has not explicitly approved.
How does the Mock-Up Protocol relate to the ACE Smile Index?
Different timepoints. The Mock-Up Protocol prevents bad cases from being delivered. The ACE Smile Index (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.19634136) scores the cases that are delivered, at 6mo / 2yr / 5yr re-scores.
Who authored the Mock-Up Protocol?
Dr. Ace Korkchi, DDS — founder of ACE DNTL STUDIO Marbella. The Mock-Up Protocol is the fifth published clinical framework from ACE DNTL.