Everywhere you turn these days, it seems you can’t help but be dazzled by dazzling white “turkey teeth.”
Lured by the promise of a perfect Hollywood smile at a fraction of UK prices, thousands of Brits are flocking to Turkey every year for cut-price pegs – but there can be serious side effects.
The boom in the cosmetic dental industry Turkey it is worth £600 million a year and plays a key role in the country’s booming medical tourism sector.
And it’s clear to see the appeal.
Here, patients can save up to 80 per cent compared to UK prices – a full set of veneers or crowns typically costs between £3,000 and £6,000 in Turkey, compared to £8,000 to £16,000 for private treatment in the UK.
Even stars such as Katie Price, Love Island’s Jack Fincham and TOWIE’s Dan Osborne have flown overseas to offer dental work.
Last month, former glamor model Katie, 46, hit back at trolls who complained her grills were ‘too big for her mouth’.
She insisted: “The best thing is that I’m happy and that’s all that matters.”
Meanwhile, Jack previously shocked his fans by sharing photos of what his teeth looked like after being filed for his veneers.
“I absolutely love my pearly whites,” she boasted on Love Island VT.
However, while many fly home happy with their shiny new pegs, a growing number of patients are experiencing serious complications from procedures done incorrectly.
This has put a significant strain on the NHS, which reportedly spends around £5 million a year on correcting poor dental work abroad.
It can cost around £9,000-£15,000 to correct difficult ‘turkey teeth’ but some clinicians will not undertake the work as it can be a huge liability.
Issues range from infections and nerve damage to malignant crowns and excessive filing of teeth, often leaving patients in pain and in need of corrective treatment.
While composite veneers involve sculpting and layering white sealing material directly onto your natural teeth to enhance the shape and color, “Turkey Teeth,” on the other hand, often means shaving your teeth, sometimes quite dramatically, to place lab-made ceramic crowns or veneers on top.
Both procedures can provide amazing results, but it is important to consider the potential side effects, especially when done in haste or by someone without proper training.
According to Dr. Jad Elbenni, Prosthodontist at The Tooth Club, seven serious issues to be aware of include…
1. Food trapping
Adding extra material to your teeth means creating new edges and surfaces, which means perfect hiding places for food.
If the work isn’t polished properly (with composites) or if the crowns don’t fit perfectly (with turkey teeth), you can end up with food sticking to the edges.
Not only is it annoying, but it’s also a quick way to tooth decay and gum problems.
2. Bad breath
This is big! Bacteria can sneak in and settle under the surface if veneers or crowns are not sealed properly.
It’s not just the smell. This can also lead to wear or even infections under the restorations.
3. Gum disease
Where food and bacteria go, gum inflammation usually follows.
Swollen, bleeding gums can be a long-term problem if the new smile is not designed to be gentle on your gums.
Regular hygiene appointments can help, but they can’t fix poor fit.
4. Sensitivity
If you have your teeth trimmed for crowns (as is often the case with turkey teeth), you are exposing the inner, more sensitive layer of the tooth.
This can lead to long-term or even permanent sensitivity.
With composite veneers, sensitivity is usually temporary, caused by how the material shrinks slightly when it hardens.
5. Chips and cracks
Despite how durable they may seem, both composites and porcelains can break under pressure, especially if you’re the crush-ice-bite-it kind of person. fingernailsor tear the packets with your teeth (please stop doing this).
Repairs or replacements can be expensive.
How to Avoid Bulky, Bright White “Turkey Teeth”
ACCORDING TO Dr. Jad Elbenni, there is a simple but crucial step: “a test drive, known as a mockup.
A good cosmetic dentist will provide a digital smile design that shows you what your new teeth will look like before they even get a drill.
Even better, they can create a temporary version right on your existing teeth so you can see the size, shape and color in real life.
6. Ongoing maintenance costs
Composite veneers are cheaper to begin with, but they are also more prone to staining and chipping, so you may find yourself replacing them more often.
Turkey teeth may seem like a bargain overseas, but getting them fixed or maintained back in the UK can cost a small fortune, and that’s if you can even find a dentist willing to take on the job.
7. Life span and longevity
Nothing lasts forever. Composite veneers usually last about 5-7 years, while porcelain or crowns can stretch to 10-15, but only if done well.
But cutting teeth for crowns can weaken them in the long run and, in some cases, lead to nerve or root canal damage, shortening the life of the tooth underneath.
I paid £20,000 for £3,000 turkey teeth and they ruined my life
LOOKING at the bill she had been presented with, Vicky Robinson couldn’t believe the figure she was staring at.
After being told her dental bill would be £3,000, she was horrified to see an extra £7,000 tagged at the end of it.
The mum-of-three now says her £10,000 ‘nightmare’ in Turkey is the worst she’s ever been through, as she was left in ‘agony’ for six months and has spent around £10,000 more trying to fix it.
Vicky flew there to get a full set of crowns in October.
The 47-year-old claims the procedure should have earned her £3,000.
Once in the operating chair, Vicky claims the surgeon performed procedures she hadn’t requested, including two sinus lifts and the removal and replacement of seven of her teeth with implants.
She claims she was shocked when she was handed a £10,000 bill.
Vicky says she was sent home three days later, but was in agony because the screws in her implants had come loose.
Vicky claims she flew back to Turkey last month to have her crowns and implants removed and reinserted at the same surgery.
She says this time, the surgeon didn’t cover the crowns properly, leaving visible holes in her teeth.
Vicky adds: “I can’t live without antibiotics because there are holes in my crowns and food gets stuck in them causing infection.
Vicky plans to fly back to Turkey next week to have the holes filled and receive a £500 refund for two implants that have fallen out.
She is afraid that she will never be happy with her smile.
Vicky shares her story to encourage other people to have surgery in the UK rather than going abroad.
He adds: “I feel like I’m standing outside with a stick telling people not to do it.
“It’s a nightmare. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever done. I wish someone had called me before I went to tell me not to do it.”
