In 2018, over 300,000 people travelled to have dental implants in Turkey, for the ultimate in budget cosmetic dentistry.
Fast forward to 2022 and – despite the interruption of a worldwide pandemic and travel restrictions – the trend for dental tourism is still on the rise.
But with the number of emergency dental treatments soaring as a result of botched cosmetic work abroad, the question is how much are you willing to pay for a quick fix?
Turkey teeth have become an increasingly popular cosmetic dental trend, especially among young people and reality TV stars. However, this treatment also comes with risks and controversies. In this article, we’ll explore what turkey teeth are, what causes them, and whether the trend is safe and worth it.
What Are Turkey Teeth?
The term “turkey teeth” refers to a specific type of cosmetic dental work, typically involving dental crowns or veneers done in Turkey. The finished look is bright white, perfectly straight teeth. However, the process involves filing down the natural teeth aggressively to stubs or “fangs” in order to place the artificial crowns or veneers.
This is very different from traditional veneers in the UK, which only remove 0.5mm of surface enamel. The turkey teeth process removes all the enamel and is therefore much more invasive.
What Causes the Dramatic Transformation?
There are two main factors that cause the dramatic “turkey teeth” transformation
1. Filing Down Natural Teeth
As mentioned, the natural teeth are filed down 60-70%, leaving just a small stub or “fang” of dentin. This aggressive filing removes most of the original tooth structure.
2. Large Artificial Crowns
After filing down the teeth full coverage crowns or veneers are placed. These artificial teeth are wider and longer than the natural teeth giving a bulky, uniform appearance. The crowns can be customized in shape, length, and shade. An ultra white shade is popular.
Is the Turkey Teeth Trend Safe?
The safety of turkey teeth procedures has been called into question:
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Removing 60-70% of the tooth structure leaves very little remaining and makes teeth weaker.
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Many patients report complications like infections, abscesses, and extreme sensitivity after the procedure.
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Aggressive crown prep often leads to need for root canals, even on previously healthy teeth.
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Long-term prognosis is poor. Most crowns need replaced every 5-15 years, involving further tooth removal each time.
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Risk of other issues like gum recession and fractures.
So while some patients are happy with their turkey teeth in the short term, the long-term prognosis is concerning. Most dental experts advise against such invasive elective procedures on healthy teeth.
Controversies Around Turkey Teeth
The turkey teeth trend has raised several controversies:
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Lack of regulation – Many Turkish clinics promote turkey teeth online with little oversight. UK clinics are much more strictly regulated.
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Hard sales tactics – Some Turkish clinics use aggressive sales tactics after only seeing a few photos, pushing dangerous amounts of treatment.
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Misrepresentation – Turkey teeth procedures are sometimes misrepresented as less invasive veneers. Patients are unaware of the extensive filing involved.
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Unnecessary treatment – In many cases, minor alignment or whitening would give good results without filing down healthy teeth.
In conclusion, the trend of turkey teeth is caused by a combination of aggressive tooth reduction and placement of artificial crowns. While some are pleased with the cosmetic results, significant risks and controversies surround this dental tourism trend. Patients should think carefully before pursuing such permanent and invasive procedures on their healthy teeth.
What you see isn’t always what you get
Unfortunately, despite a number of warnings from The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry about the high risks of dental tourism, thousands of people still opt to make the journey in a bid to gain an affordable smile. So, what can you do to avoid months of pain and suffering at the hands of an untrustworthy cosmetic dental centre in Turkey?
You wouldn’t spend thousands of pounds on a car without doing your research. So why would you head to foreign lands to have a cosmetic procedure without finding everything out about the people doing it? Here are some things you can do to protect yourself:
- Always thoroughly research the clinic, and the consultant doing the procedure before making any contact.
- Don’t be afraid to call and ask to speak with your consultant to ensure that there is no language barrier and that communication is clear
- Ask the right questions; what materials do they work with? What qualifications do they have? You can even go the next step and contact the issuing body to verify their claims
Of course, our biggest piece of advice to avoiding disastrous veneers in Turkey is to have your treatment done in the UK where you are safe and protected under law. Here at the Harley Street Smile Clinic, we pride ourselves on offering top-tier quality at competitive prices, and we invite all of our clients to speak with us at every step of the way to help build a long-lasting relationship.
Veneers in Turkey completed in one day – and spend the rest of your life paying for it
Here in the UK, cosmetic dentistry is only available under the NHS if there’s a clinical need – so for those looking to enhance their smile, it can cost a pretty penny for the highest quality care and treatment that will last for many years.
Although having veneers fitted in the UK can take anywhere up to three weeks from meeting your consultant to having the veneers fitted, getting veneers in Turkey can be done in just one visit, with the promise of a low price-point and fast results, which has led to the highest numbers of botched cosmetic dentistry procedures in recent years.
Whilst there certainly are a number of genuine dental clinics abroad, it is important to recognise that not every cosmetic dentistry clinic in Turkey will have the standards, skills or qualifications necessary to perform safe cosmetic dentistry – so why are so many people willing to compromise?
Amongst the most commonly reported benefits of getting veneers in Turkey is, of course, the cheap costs of veneers compared to here in the UK. Private dentistry in the UK can cost anywhere up to 70% more than its Turkey counterpart– so it’s a no brainer, right?
Well, according to statistics – it’s not quite as straight forward as you might think. A survey done by the Irish Dental Association revealed that approximately 75% of those who had travelled abroad for dental procedures required corrective work back home. So, it really begs the question of how much you are actually saving in the end, and whether your oral health is worth that risk. Are you worried about the cost of veneers? Read our blog to learn how you can receive affordable veneers.
Lack of communication leads to thousands of young people leaving Turkey with nothing to smile about as botched cosmetic dental work abroad is on the rise.
Here in the UK, a botched cosmetic dentistry procedure can be painful and traumatic. But it’s also assured that you are protected under UK law to claim under medical negligence, should something go wrong. However, if you opt for cheaper veneers in Turkey, in the case of things going wrong, you are not covered in the same way and more often than not you can end up spending many more thousands of pounds trying to fix the problems.
Unfortunately for every success, there is a horror story of dental tourism gone wrong, with the majority of cases leading to the following issues:
- Intense long-lasting pain
- Overly sensitive teeth making it difficult to eat or drink
- Exposed nerves, leading to further invasive treatments
- Ill-fitting veneers can be too big or too small for the size of the mouth
- Infected gums, which can spread to the sinuses and even to the bone if left untreated
- Rotting teeth
- Excessive swelling
- Poorly bonded veneers can fall off easily
You may be lucky enough to get a consultation with your Turkish surgeon before you go for your veneers to be fitted. However, these are usually performed over the telephone or through Skype, and can often neglect vital information such as medical history and allergies. For others, the first time you meet your consultant may be the very same day as your procedure, where many are faced with language barriers, leaving them feeling isolated and out of control of the situation.
Although seen as a convenient alternative to private cosmetic dentistry in the UK, the harsh reality is that many Turkish dentistry clinics offer varying levels of experience and technology. This can have dire consequences whether that be immediately or later down the line when you’ve arrived back home. At the Harley Street Smile Clinic, we only offer professional cosmetic procedures, all performed by industry-leading experts. Why not request an e-consultation with us?
Dental Veneers vs. Crowns | Which is Better & What’s the Difference
FAQ
What causes Turkey teeth?
What does the expression “turkey teeth” mean?
What teeth do people get from Turkey?
Are ‘Turkey teeth’ a trend in Turkey?
With over 31 billion views on TikTok alone, “Turkey teeth” has become a ubiquitous trend. However, it doesn’t just refer to the practice of getting your teeth done in Turkey . “Turkey teeth” has become synonymous with botched dental treatment in Turkey.
What is turkeyteeth?
A social media phenomenon explained. The term TurkeyTeeth recently emerged online to indicate a failed or botched dental treatment performed in Turkey.
Can you get “Turkey teeth”?
You can even get “Turkey teeth” through treatments that don’t require any tooth shaving. Composite bonding is one example of it. Keep in mind that Turkey’s been experiencing a dental boom for quite a few years now. And the high volume of dental tourists has added to the experience of the dentists there.
What is ‘Turkey teeth’ on TikTok?
The reality star flew to Turkey to give his teeth a super white and super square look. This trend, called “Turkey Teeth” is growing rapidly on TikTok. While it may conjure up an image of a turkey smiling with tons of teeth (just us?), Turkey Teeth actually refers to people flying abroad for this treatment. But how safe is it?