A fitting stick lets you show a tooth gem near the client’s teeth before bonding it to the tooth. For your appointments, its main purpose is to compare specific options: a more discreet size, a different shape or a small arrangement.
The aim is to give your clients a visual reference using gems you actually offer. This preview helps them choose a style; it does not confirm either the final placement or whether the application can go ahead.
Fitting sticks and wax pickers: two different purposes
A fitting stick is a transparent display support. Tooth Gems World supplies them in packs of five, each stick measuring 11 cm long. The product page instructs you to remove the protective film from both sides and prepare a gem or design at each end.
A wax-tipped applicator, by contrast, is used to pick up and position a small gem. It does not replace the support on which you present several choices. The applicators offered by Tooth Gems World are single-use.
Prepare options that allow a meaningful comparison
Change one feature at a time
If size is the question, keep the same colour and shape. For example, you could present a round Preciosa Crystal in SS3, followed by SS5. Comparing a small clear stone with a large pink heart at the same time does not reveal whether the preference is for the size, colour or shape.
To check the stated dimensions and understand SS sizes, see the tooth gem size guide. A fitting stick adds to these points of reference by showing the gems near the client’s teeth.
Keep a record of each sample
Make a separate note of the brand, size, colour and number of gems used for each example. Keep display samples separate from the stock intended for applications. You can then find the right product when preparing the appointment without relying solely on a photo.
Show the sample without starting the application
Prepare your samples in advance, following the instructions for the support and the products used. Before presenting them, check that no gem is coming loose. This demonstration does not require any product to be applied to the tooth.
- Start with two options that are easy to tell apart, then refine the selection if needed.
- Show the sample near the proposed tooth, keeping the support outside the mouth and away from the teeth and gums.
- Let the person view their smile in a mirror and compare the options under the same lighting.
Never place a loose gem in the mouth to simulate the result. Once the aesthetic choice is clearer, return to the checks required for the application; our guide to precision and placement explores this stage.
Explain the limits of the preview
The transparent support, its distance from the tooth and the lighting can affect perception. The preview gives an idea of proportions and composition without exactly reproducing the result after bonding. Present it as a decision-making aid without promising an identical result or a particular wear time.
A visual choice is not an assessment of the tooth’s health. If there is pain, unexplained sensitivity, irritated gums or any doubt about dental health, postpone the application and seek a dentist’s advice.
The American Dental Association advises against tooth gems because of the risks of decay, enamel damage and inflammation. A display accessory does not remove these risks.
Fitting stick, design card or photo: which support should you prepare?
A fitting stick is useful for holding an example near the client’s teeth. A design card is better suited to grouping several arrangements on one support; Tooth Gems World cards come in packs of five, without gems. A photo preserves an idea, but its framing and scale are not enough to judge the actual dimensions.
Choose the support according to the question you need to resolve. To decide between two sizes, prepare a simple comparison on a fitting stick. To present your range of arrangements, put together a clearly laid-out card. This will help you avoid adding samples that do not help the person decide.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to bond the gem to the tooth during the preview?
No. The gem is shown on the fitting stick, near the client’s teeth. The aim is to compare possibilities before anything is bonded to the tooth.
Can a fitting stick determine the final placement?
It helps someone express an aesthetic preference. The placement must then be assessed in the actual situation, with the necessary checks and precautions; the fitting stick does not carry out that assessment.
Can the same sample be reused for several people?
Do not assume from the support’s appearance alone that it can be reused between people. Follow its care and usage instructions. If this information is missing, ask the supplier for it before planning to reuse it.
Prepare a selection that is easy to show
Start with a few references you have in stock and a specific question: size, shape or arrangement. To complete your display equipment, explore Tooth Gems World fitting sticks and prepare identifiable examples that match the gems available for your appointments.
Original illustration of display samples; it does not show the contents of the pack sold. General information, without diagnosis or clinical protocol.
Sources and information checks
Accessory specifications and availability: Tooth Gems World product pages linked in this article, checked on 3 November 2026. Health guidance: American Dental Association, “Oral Piercing/Jewelry”, page updated in August 2026, accessed on 3 November 2026.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.