It’s only been three years since Turkish teeth were the trend du jour and it seemed like droves of Irish people were heading to the Balkan country for cheap smiles and bad dentistry.
The smiles that returned after a week or so of aggressive treatment were eerily similar. These carbon copies looked like they were machine made, and while some people were quite happy with the results, others found themselves looking for restoration work at their dentist’s house.
The turkey teeth trend is on the wane, possibly due to people hearing horror stories, while a more natural approach is gaining favor, according to the celebrity dentist behind the smiles of Kylie and Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lopez.
Turkey teeth
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Turkey teeth are more serious than getting a set of veneers that cover the front of the teeth. In 2022, we spoke to London dentist Dr Sahil Patel, who explained what the process is. He said, “Turkey teeth refer to the full sets of crowns or veneers with aggressive filing that young people receive after traveling abroad to Turkey for medical tourism. Turkey mostly offers ‘all-inclusive packages’ to its patients and for a full set (upper and lower) ceramic, it is set at an extremely competitive price of around £200 (€233) per tooth for crowns, sometimes less.”
Dr. Patel said most people he spoke to at his clinic didn’t know the difference between cosmetic procedures like veneers and the bolder crowns that people usually get after losing a tooth. These crowns are the turkey teeth, the “peg teeth” we’ve seen on social media, and they shorten the overall lifespan of natural teeth. He said “Let’s assume each set lasts 10 years to be pessimistic. And if you put them in at age 20, that’s five sets by 70. You can’t have five sets of crowns – typically, most dentists use two to three sets before significant damage occurs and the tooth is lost.’
2025 Dentistry Trend
With the turkey teeth trend (thankfully) on the way out, the new smile is much more natural but still as bright, according to celebrity dentist, Dr. Edoardo Felici of Aesthetically, which features the likes of Kylie, Kendall and JLo.
She says, “The age of the celebrity smile is about subtle enhancement rather than over-the-top transformation. We are moving away from blindingly white, identical veneers and toward personalized, natural-looking smiles that are in harmony with the patient’s facial features. Think less Love Island and more Kendall Jenner – sophisticated, quietly luxurious teeth that look like you’ve always had great genetics.”
Special Dentistry
Dr. Felici says a complete new smile isn’t for everyone. Sometimes, a little improvement is enough. She says: “For some people, a subtle tweak like professional whitening or a little contouring can make a big difference. When veneers are involved, they are usually extremely thin and manufactured to mimic the look and feel of natural enamel, with particular attention to shade, symmetry and proportion.’
“While many clinics now rely heavily on fully digital smile design, others – myself included – prefer a more hands-on, hands-on approach, shaping the smile directly in the mouth to achieve a truly personalized result for each patient,” he adds. “The ultimate goal is always to enhance a person’s unique features without overhauling them, creating a fresher, more youthful look and boosting their confidence in a way that feels authentic.”
Anti-aging results
From an antiaging perspective, a bright smile is incredibly youthful, as our teeth can become discolored and misaligned with age. Cosmetic dentistry in Ireland is still in its infancy, but dentists are seeing more adults over 40 looking for a better smile. And with an investment like this, you’re better off staying the course with your dentist here rather than getting on a plane for Turkey teeth.
Dr. Felici agrees, saying it’s an anti-aging process. It says “A great smile lifts your whole face. By correcting the length, shape and alignment of the teeth, we can subtly enhance the lower third of the face, where aging is often visible. When done well, cosmetic dentistry can have the same rejuvenating effect as modifications or even fillers – but last longer and look more natural.
