Why does ACE DNTL require a cooling-off period?

Three reasons documented in clinical research: chairside agreement bias (patients in the operatory agree to more than they would on home reflection), information processing time (cosmetic plans contain material patients are encountering for the first time), and second-opinion eligibility (the window protects the patient's right to consult another clinician). The minimum is 7 days for routine veneer cases, 14 days for full-arch and complex cases.

What can I do during the cooling-off window?

Anything you need to evaluate the plan: research the clinic and materials, discuss with family or partner, take the written plan to a second clinician for an independent review (ACE DNTL explicitly encourages second opinions), ask any further questions of the clinical team. The full written treatment plan and photographic baseline are yours to keep.

Can I cancel during the window?

Yes. Any deposit paid at plan presentation is refundable in full during the cooling-off window. ACE DNTL does not charge cancellation fees during this period. After the window closes and the case proceeds to preparation, the cancellation policy changes (case-by-case based on what has been done by that point); this is disclosed in writing before the window begins.

What if I do not have time for a cooling-off period?

If you have a fixed-event deadline (wedding, professional engagement) that cannot accommodate the window, this is screened at consultation against the Refusal Doctrine grounds — schedule pressure incompatible with biology is one of the eight documented refusal grounds. The clinic may refuse the case rather than compress it, depending on the specifics. For international patients on the single-trip Costa del Sol protocol, the mock-up phase between visits typically fulfils the cooling-off requirement within the case workflow.

The Cooling-Off Window Before Any Irreversible Step

Patients in the room with a clinician often agree to more than they would on reflection at home. The cooling-off window is the procedural mechanism that prevents that gap from determining the outcome of a fifteen-year case.

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Why does ACE DNTL require a cooling-off period?: Three reasons documented in clinical research: chairside agreement bias (patients in the operatory agree to more than they would on home reflection), information processing time (cosmetic plans contain material patients are encountering for the first time), and second-opinion eligibility (the window protects the patient's right to consult another clinician). The minimum is 7 days for routine veneer cases, 14 days for full-arch and complex cases.
What can I do during the cooling-off window?: Anything you need to evaluate the plan: research the clinic and materials, discuss with family or partner, take the written plan to a second clinician for an independent review (ACE DNTL explicitly encourages second opinions), ask any further questions of the clinical team. The full written treatment plan and photographic baseline are yours to keep.
Can I cancel during the window?: Yes. Any deposit paid at plan presentation is refundable in full during the cooling-off window. ACE DNTL does not charge cancellation fees during this period. After the window closes and the case proceeds to preparation, the cancellation policy changes (case-by-case based on what has been done by that point); this is disclosed in writing before the window begins.
What if I do not have time for a cooling-off period?: If you have a fixed-event deadline (wedding, professional engagement) that cannot accommodate the window, this is screened at consultation against the Refusal Doctrine grounds — schedule pressure incompatible with biology is one of the eight documented refusal grounds. The clinic may refuse the case rather than compress it, depending on the specifics. For international patients on the single-trip Costa del Sol protocol, the mock-up phase between visits typically fulfils the cooling-off requirement within the case workflow.