Social media is full of stories about ‘Turkey Teeth’. The phrase refers to the trend being followed by thousands of people who travel to Turkey for cheap cosmetic dental procedures because they think they’re getting a bargain.
For some patients, the experience has been a good one. But for many others, the harsh reality is very different… sometimes with dire consequences. It’s important to point out that many Turkish dentist clinics are ethical and provide appropriate treatments; however, many others are not and are doing inappropriate and unnecessarily invasive treatments that have lifelong consequences for the patient.
The term “turkey teeth” has recently exploded in popularity, especially on social media platforms like TikTok. But what exactly are turkey teeth? Here is a detailed explainer on this polarizing dental trend.
What The Term “Turkey Teeth” Refers To
The phrase “turkey teeth” has a few meanings in the context of cosmetic dentistry. Most commonly, it is used to describe dental veneers or crowns done in Turkey that give the patient extremely white, square, and uniform-looking teeth.
This signature “turkey teeth” look is generally achieved by aggressively shaving down the natural teeth and replacing them with bright white veneers or crowns The result is a mouthful of solid white blocks that all look identical in shape and color
On social media like TikTok and Instagram “turkey teeth” has also become shorthand for talking about botched or questionable cosmetic dental work done in Turkey. The country has become known as a destination for dental tourism due to the relatively low costs.
- Extremely white, square, and uniform veneers or crowns done in Turkey
- A signature look of solid white blocks of teeth after shaving down the natural teeth
- A catch-all phrase for discussing or criticizing dental tourism in Turkey
The Turkey Teeth Look – Why So Popular?
The turkey teeth look has exploded in popularity over the last few years, especially among young people and influencers. There are a few reasons why it has caught on as a trend:
Cost – Getting dental work done in Turkey can cost a fraction of what it does in Western Europe, the UK, or the US. The lower prices make the dramatic transformation accessible to more people.
Instant results – While orthodontic treatments take years, turkey teeth can transform your smile seemingly overnight with a quick visit to Turkey. The instant gratification is appealing.
Influencer culture – Influencers on social media have helped popularize the turkey teeth look. People then emulate the look they see online.
Aesthetic appeal – The uniform blocks of gleaming white teeth create a smile that conforms to popular beauty standards valuing straight, white teeth.
So while not everyone is a fan of the turkey teeth aesthetic, it gained momentum among certain demographics as an affordable way to achieve a picture-perfect Instagrammable smile.
The Turkey Teeth Controversy
Despite its popularity, turkey teeth as a concept is also controversial and divisive. There are a few key criticisms of the dental tourism trend:
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Aggressive procedures – Shaving down healthy teeth only for cosmetic reasons is seen as overly aggressive and unnecessary by some dental professionals.
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Higher risks – Any medical tourism carries risks if clinics and practitioners cut corners. There are concerns about quality and safety controls in turkey teeth procedures.
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Lack of regulation – Turkey’s dental industry is less regulated than in Western countries, raising concerns about subpar work.
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Excessive whitening – The uniform and ultra-bright white color of turkey teeth is criticized as looking artificial and overdone.
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Repetitive look – The copy-and-paste style smiles all looking identical is seen as boring and devoid of character.
So turkey teeth have vocal critics in the dental industry who argue patients are prioritizing cost savings and instant gratification over health and common sense.
Horror Stories and Botched Results
No cosmetic surgery trend would be complete without some horror stories and turkey teeth is no exception.
There are reports of people returning from Turkey with complications like:
- Mismatched veneers or crowns that don’t blend with natural teeth
- Veneers and crowns falling off soon after installation
- Pain and sensitivity from aggressive shaving of enamel
- Teeth breaking from being shaved too thin
- Infections developing under veneers or crowns
- Needing excessive root canals after procedures
- Regret over losing their natural teeth forever
When searching #turkeyteeth on social media, you’ll find plenty of people showing disappointing results. Some people report being pressured into more extensive procedures than they wanted or needing expensive follow-up care back home.
However, it’s worth noting many patients are also happy with their turkey teeth transformations. But the trend certainly doesn’t come without risks and the horror stories serve as a cautionary tale.
What Dentistry Experts Think About Turkey Teeth
Mainstream dentists and dental organizations often discourage the turkey teeth trend and dental tourism in general:
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The British Dental Association has warned patients about substandard care and a high rate of complications from dental tourism.
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The American Dental Association also cautions patients about potential issues with follow-up care, quality controls, and liability.
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Ethical concerns exist around aggressive procedures done for purely cosmetic reasons without medical necessity.
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Traveling abroad makes continuity of care difficult if complications arise after returning home.
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Differences in regulations and standards can compromise patient safety.
So most mainstream dental experts and groups argue turkey teeth carry substantial risks and downsides for patients. However, opinions within dentistry are mixed. Some defend dental tourism as an affordable option if done responsibly.
Key Takeaways About Turkey Teeth
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It refers to dramatic smile makeovers done in Turkey featuring ultra-white uniform veneers or crowns.
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The look has exploded in popularity for being relatively affordable and giving instant smile transformations.
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However, turkey teeth are controversial due to aggressive procedures, safety concerns, excessive whitening, and a repetitive aesthetic.
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Horror stories and botched results caution that the lower costs can come with risks.
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Most mainstream dentists discourage extensive dental tourism for elective cosmetic procedures.
So while turkey teeth transformations fascinate many on social media, the trend remains divisive within dentistry and is not without potentially serious downsides for those who undergo the procedures.
Why do people go to Turkey to get dental veneers?
Let’s be honest here, it’s a combination of cheaper dental treatment and the ‘lure of a quick fix’. People think that after a week or two in Turkey, combining a holiday with the treatment, they’ll return to the UK with a perfect smile and a bit of a tan too. But the reality for a significant minority of these cosmetic tourists is that they return home in agony and the prospect of years of pain and expense to repair the damage done. This means the total cost of your new smile is significantly more than if you’d have gone to a British dental clinic in the first place.
Then there’s the added frustration of having nowhere to turn to – in Turkey there’s no trade body like the British Dental Association (BDA) to ensure high standards and ethical practices. And as an additional kick in the teeth, many UK dentists won’t touch patients who are having problems as a result of botched dental work.
Is it worth going to Turkey to get teeth done?
Getting dental cosmetic treatment abroad is a big risk and like all UK dentists, we would caution against travelling abroad, especially if your motivation is to save money. The treatment may sound cheap, but if something goes wrong, the costs are extremely high… and last a lifetime. The price you subsequently have to pay as a result of poor treatment goes a lot further than just the money you’ll need for remedial work – it involves pain, infection, the possibility of losing your teeth altogether, and the additional treatments that will be needed in future years that would not otherwise have been necessary.
An additional consideration to make before you have any kind of cosmetic dental work is time. Many dental treatments need to factor healing time as part of the dental treatment. This is especially the case with dental implants – if you don’t allow the jaw to heal between some of the treatment stages, you risk losing the dental implant altogether. This is something that cannot be done with just one visit.
Eddie Crouch, chairman of the BDA, told the BBC: “Patients need to provide informed consent for any treatment they have and be wary of a hard sell, as the reality is rarely as simple as it appears on Instagram. Sadly, many UK dentists are now picking up the pieces when things go wrong. We strongly advise people considering this to check a dentist’s qualifications and experience and whether they are insured if things go wrong.”
The Horrible Truth Behind My ‘Turkey Teeth’ | No Filter | @LADbible
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