Are Turkey teeth safe

Are Turkey teeth safe

It’s estimated that the dental industry in Turkey was worth more than $700 million in 2023, with tourists being a large percentage of the overall customers. The rise in celebrities and influencers travelling for cosmetic dental work, coupled with the low-cost procedures on offer mean that ‘Turkey teeth’ are continuing to grow in popularity. This is an amount that is predicted to continue rising, and with half of Brits saying they don’t like their teeth, we think a large number of customers will come from the UK.

Considering many people know that a full set of veneers can be higher in price, many are tempted by the low-cost way to get gleaming white teeth. However, although veneers are easy to buy from Turkey, are they really safe?

In this article, we will answer that question and provide insight into alternative solutions you can investigate if you wish to put the sparkle back into your smile.

What are Turkey teeth?

Turkey teeth is the nickname given to the trend of travelling to the country to get veneers fitted. When the term is mentioned, an image likely to flood many minds is the tombstone-like condition in which real teeth are left underneath the cosmetic covers. This is something that is a topic of conversation in the dental industry, as this is not always the best way for veneers to be done. Much debate has arisen as many dentists promote saving as much of the natural tooth as possible instead of simply filling it down to a stump-shaped finish.

Turkey teeth is the most commonly used term on social media, as many influencers and celebrities document their trips to complete various procedures. Whilst clinics will differ in the types of teeth they offer, the main style people are used to seeing is a bright white, squared finish, which doesn’t have much of a natural appearance.

Are Turky teeth safe to invest in?

With many people having strong opinions about Turkey teeth, there is much debate about whether or not the dental solution is worth the investment. The reality is that the industry, as it stands today, is different from the history of the country. Whilst some practices still offer a high level of service for issues such as wanting to get veneers with crooked teeth or choosing veneers as a solution for missing teeth, some offices are known for not offering the highest standard of work.

Dental tourism is a booming industry, and with the quick turnarounds and limited liability from the offices, it’s a way for companies to make a high amount of money quickly. This has led to the overall level of cosmetic dentistry in Turkey being a real mixed bag, with a fair share of practices operating, which unfortunately don’t meet the standards we would consider to be safe to choose.

However, Turkey is regulated by the Turkish Dental Association, meaning that legitimate practices offer good quality work. However, for the low-cost solutions, many visit Turkey, and these offices don’t tend to be selected. If you are insistent on visiting Turkey for a new smile, you should always check the registration of the office, understand aftercare support and not look for the cheapest deal, as these ones will more likely be cutting corners.

What are the risks of choosing teeth from Turkey?

As mentioned, not all dental practices in Turkey will offer subpar service. However, for the ones that are promoting lots of financial deals, pushing a hard sell, offering work without proper consultations and offices that have limited information available, there are likely to be risks associated.

Some of the most common problems we have seen are listed below:

Low-quality solutions

You may think you are onto a winning deal if you manage to secure a revised smile for a low cost. However, the reality is that the company is still making a profit from this, which puts into perspective the quality of the materials and craftsmanship being provided.

Although regulated, the materials used for cosmetic dentistry in Turkey are not as high-quality as those required in the UK. They may look the part, but their robustness is not normally guaranteed. Furthermore, services within the UK cover costs relating to detailed consultations plus support throughout all stages of treatment, including aftercare. Some Turkish dental offices often overlook these elements, posing higher risks.

Another problem associated with this is that the veneers are unlikely to last as long as the ones provided in the UK. Whilst you may not be thinking about the long term now, many end up with costly bills to settle in years to come, which are not budgeted for when dental issues arise. Although veneers are not 100% permanent and will need to be changed after a certain period of time, good-quality solutions will give you a lengthy period of support.

Limited to no care available for post-treatment issues

Although veneers should not be painful to get, there will be some cases when aftercare is needed to alleviate any issues. Some low-cost dental offices in Turkey do not offer any post-treatment support, meaning people are left in pain trying to source dental assistance. This is not always the easiest to find, as some dentists will be reluctant to work with these types of teeth due to the risk of further damage and the negative association of work for them.

When visiting as a dental tourist, it can also be hard to find emergency dental care due to a lack of connections with the local area. In the UK, you can either visit your dentist or go to urgent care for emergency dental care should you experience an issue with veneers.

Language barriers mean limited understanding

Another issue is that some offices will not be fluent in English and other languages, meaning barriers to communication are likely to be in place. This means that essential information is more likely to be lost along the way, leaving the customer in a far from ideal position.

During any type of dental work, especially procedures like getting veneers, communication is key. You should always have a detailed understanding of what is going to be completed, any risks and aftercare solutions.

What is the best solution for teeth repairs or cosmetic enhancements?

Although some clinics are worthy of your custom in Turkey, as mentioned, the risks of not finding the right one make getting veneers abroad tricky.

If you want a smile that is safe and will last longer, it’s worth looking into the cost of getting veneers in the UK. Although you will be paying a bit more, you will save in the long run as there is much less chance of needing follow-up or replacement work. A UK dentist will also be more likely to explain to you the differences between dental and composite bonding. This is important as getting veneers is not the only option for improving a smile and may sometimes not be the best solution. They will also be able to give you a finer level of detail, such as aftercare instructions or a more detailed quote, such as the cost of composite bonding per tooth.

Finally, choosing a reputable dentist will ensure that you receive the right help. Examples include advice on the best types of veneers to get if you have an issue like gum disease. Some cheaper dentists will likely do the work anyway.

Why choose the Eye and Dental Clinic for cosmetic dentistry?

Now that you know the risks of getting Turkey teeth, we hope you will understand why our veneer service is a great solution.

From offering emergency dental care to a fair payment policy, we provide high support for those looking to improve their smiles. To learn more, you can view our policies here or click the link to book an appointment.

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