The biggest fear with a smile makeover isn’t the cost or the dentist. It’s commitment. What if you don’t like the result? At Ollie & Darsh in the heart of Liverpool’s business district, the prototype approach removes that risk by letting you see and wear a trial version of your new smile before any permanent work happens. As of June 2026, it’s the step that turns “maybe one day” into “yes.”
Think of it as try before you buy, applied to your teeth. You walk around with a preview, eat with it, smile in the mirror, show your partner, and only then decide. Here’s exactly how it works.
What a smile prototype actually is
A prototype is a temporary, physical model of your proposed new smile, built before anything irreversible is done to your teeth. It comes in two stages that work together.
First, the wax model. Your teeth are scanned and a design is made in wax, showing the planned shape, length, and balance of your new smile on a model. This is the blueprint.
Then, the trial smile. That design is transferred into your mouth as a temporary version you can actually wear, often placed directly over your existing teeth without cutting them down. Suddenly the plan isn’t an idea on a screen. It’s in your mouth, and you can see how it looks when you talk and laugh.
Why “trying before buying” matters so much here
Smile makeovers, whether veneers, composite bonding, or a combination, change something you carry on your face every day for years. That’s a lot to commit to from a photo or a verbal description.
The prototype changes the conversation completely. Instead of trusting that the result will suit you, you experience it. You notice whether the teeth feel too long, whether the shape suits your face, whether your partner does a double-take in a good way. And because the dentist can see the trial in your real face, they can adjust the design before any permanent treatment starts.
This is the brand’s quiet promise made literal: you treat the person, not just the teeth. A number on a chart can’t tell you whether you’ll feel like yourself. A trial smile can.
The step-by-step process
Let me walk you through it, start to finish.
- The conversation. You sit down with your dentist, often Daz Singh or Sudarsh Naidoo, and talk about what bothers you and what you want. No drills, no pressure. The practice even offers “chat only” first appointments for nervous patients.
- The scan. Digital scanning captures your teeth precisely, which becomes the basis for the design.
- The wax model. Your new smile is designed in wax so you can see the proposed shape and balance.
- The trial smile. The design goes into your mouth as a temporary version you wear and test in real life.
- The adjustments. You give feedback, the design is refined, and you approve it.
- The permanent work. Only once you’re happy does any lasting treatment, such as veneers or bonding, begin.
The order is the whole point. Your approval comes before the permanent step, not after.
Wax model versus trial smile, what’s the difference?
People mix these up, so here’s a simple comparison.
| Stage | Where it lives | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Wax model | On a dental model, outside your mouth | The planned shape and design, the blueprint |
| Trial smile | Temporarily in your mouth | How it actually looks and feels on your face |
The wax model is the architect’s drawing. The trial smile is standing inside the finished room before the builders commit. You want both, in that order.
Who the prototype suits
This approach is built for a few people in particular.
The anxious avoidant, who has put off cosmetic work for years out of fear of regret, finally has a way to test the outcome without burning any bridges. The life event patient, the bride-to-be or the person with a milestone birthday, can confirm the look well ahead of the big day. And the efficiency-focused professional, who wants certainty before investing, gets exactly that.
If you’ve ever hesitated over a smile makeover because you couldn’t picture the result, this is the answer to that hesitation. You can read more about the practice’s patient-first approach on the why Ollie & Darsh page.
What a smile makeover costs
A smile makeover is built around your individual case, so the price reflects what’s involved. As a general UK guide, composite bonding typically costs from around £200 to £400 per tooth, while porcelain veneers commonly run from around £700 to £1,200 per tooth. A full makeover combining several treatments is quoted as a package after your design is agreed.
Your exact figure depends on the number of teeth and the materials chosen, so it’s confirmed once your prototype is approved. Ollie & Darsh is FCA authorised for 0% finance and offers membership plans, so the cost can be spread, and you can see the options on the 0% finance page.
FAQ
Does the trial smile damage my real teeth?
No. The trial smile is usually placed temporarily over your existing teeth, often without cutting them down at all, so it’s reversible. That’s the whole point of the prototype: it lets you test the look and feel before any permanent change. Your dentist, Daz Singh or Sudarsh Naidoo, only moves to lasting treatment once you’ve approved the design.
How long does the prototype stage take?
It varies with your case, but the design and trial stage typically spans a few appointments rather than a single visit. You’ll have time to live with the trial smile, gather feedback from people you trust, and request changes. Ollie & Darsh deliberately doesn’t rush this part, because getting the design right before permanent work is what protects your result.
Can I change my mind after seeing the trial smile?
Yes, that’s exactly what the prototype is for. If the trial isn’t right, the design is adjusted, or you can decide not to proceed before any permanent treatment begins. Nothing irreversible has happened at that stage. You’re only committed once you’ve seen, worn, and approved your new smile, which is the reassurance the prototype is designed to give.
Is a smile makeover just veneers?
Not necessarily. A makeover at Ollie & Darsh might combine composite bonding, porcelain veneers, teeth straightening, or whitening, depending on what your case needs. The prototype helps you and the dentist agree the best mix before committing. Some smiles need only bonding, others a fuller plan, which is why the design conversation comes first, before any prices are fixed.
Will my new smile look natural or obviously fake?
The aim is natural. The prototype lets you and the dentist judge the shape, length, and balance against your own face before anything is made permanent, which is precisely how the “done” look is avoided. Because you see and approve the trial in your real features, you have a direct say in keeping it looking like you, only better.
What to do next
If a smile makeover has been on your mind but you’ve held back from fear of the result, the prototype is the step that removes that fear. Start with a relaxed conversation, see your trial smile, and decide only when you’re sure.
Call Ollie & Darsh in Liverpool on 0151 236 6578 or book through the contact page. A “chat only” first appointment is available, and evening slots run to 7 PM Monday to Friday.