Introduction: In aesthetic dentistry, considerable attention is given to the beginning and end of treatment: the initial smile design and the final restorations. Between these two points lies the temporary stage—an essential but often underutilised phase that is commonly treated as little more than a functional transition. Temporary restorations are typically used to evaluate broad parameters such as tooth shape, proportion, length and phonetics. Yet many of the qualities that ultimately determine whether a smile appears natural—or whether it genuinely reflects the patient’s preferences—are still deferred until the final ceramic restorations are produced. These may include brightness, enamel translucency, incisal effects and the subtle characteristics that give teeth their individual appearance. This creates a significant gap in the decision-making process. Patients are often...