If you’ve been reading the news lately, you may have noticed articles commenting on the dangers of travelling to Turkey for what has been dubbed ‘Turkey Teeth’. This growing trend of dental tourism to countries such as Turkey (as well as Poland, Greece and Hungary) has grown largely due to influencers on social media showing off the treatment they have had performed in these countries for a lower cost than in the U.K.
Whilst it may sound appealing to have dental treatment such as dental implants abroad, several risks are involved.
In this blog, we will discuss these potential pitfalls, so that you can make an informed choice about where to get the dental treatment you need. We’ll also look at how to find the right dental practice for your particular needs.
There is a lack of aftercare in countries such as Turkey
Treatments such as dental implants, or those that result in straight teeth like braces, require ongoing aftercare over a period of months. This is particularly the case with dental implants, for which you need to undergo surgery to have the implants placed. Implants require the body to heal before the treatment can be complete, which can take anything in the region of 3-6 months. This isn’t something you can have done during a single trip away. Should anything go wrong or your body rejects the implant, you may require intervention as early as possible, leaving you with no choice but to visit a dentist close to home.
The body can reject dental implants if the brand of implant being used is substandard, if your surgery has been poorly executed, or if the treatment has not been planned properly.
Here at one80 Dental, we use some of the most sophisticated digital planning software, allowing us to pinpoint precisely where in the jaw the implant should be placed for the best outcome.
We are proud users of the Nobel Biocare implant system, which is grounded in 65 years of research and innovation. The Swiss innovation behind Nobel Biocare is highly renowned, and it was the founder of Nobel Biocare Per-Ingar Brånemark who discovered the game-changing process of osseointegration, by which implants are accepted as a part of the body.
It could end up being a false economy
As we’ve already mentioned, you may end up requiring treatment back home if anything goes awry. In many cases, the NHS may not be able to help if this occurs, as they may not have the facilities or the materials to correct the errors made with your dental treatment abroad.
Choosing a reputable private dentist in the first instance will prevent you from needing complex treatment when you’re back home to rectify any failings that have occurred abroad.
With something as precious as your teeth, it’s important to seek out an experienced dental practice, especially for an involved treatment like dental implants, which requires surgery.
Dentists in Turkey are not subject to strict regulations
Here in the U.K, as dentists, we must adhere to the guidelines, standards and conduct set out by the General Dental Council (GDC). In countries such as Turkey, such regulations are more relaxed, which also means hygiene standards within dental practices may pose a risk to your health. Because of this, you may be more vulnerable to picking up a dental infection and needing emergency treatment once you return to the U.K.
You may not know the ins and outs of your chosen treatment
In the past year, reports outlining patients’ accounts of their veneers treatment experience abroad have surfaced. In many cases, they have admitted to being left in the dark as to what to expect from treatment.
It has been reported that some dentists in Turkey have been placing crowns (a restorative treatment) instead of veneers without first briefing the patients. Crowns require a much more significant portion of a tooth to be removed in order for them to be placed. Removing large amounts of healthy tooth structure is something a dentist in the U.K would never do, purely for the sake of a good cosmetic outcome.
We will only remove a large portion of your natural tooth structure if it is for restorative purposes. Crowns should not be used in cases where a tooth is healthy, as there are far less invasive methods that can achieve a pleasing cosmetic outcome, such as composite bonding.
Choosing the best dental practice for your treatment: Our tips
Read the team profiles on the practice website
A dental practice is only as good as the clinicians who work there. Read over the profiles of the dentists at a given dental practice to learn about their experience and how they approach looking after their patients.
Check for a treatment coordinator
Dental practices with a treatment coordinator have an advantage over those that do not, as they offer a point of contact from the beginning to the end of your treatment. Nervous patients can benefit from speaking to a treatment coordinator before they come in for an appointment with the dentist, as this can give them the freedom to ask questions before being in the dentist’s chair.
Check the technology and brands used at the practice
Forward-thinking dental practices will continuously be investing in the best technology and facilities to give their patients the best experience.
If you’re looking for treatment to get straight teeth or are considering dental implants or cosmetic dental treatment abroad, we recommend reaching out to us here at one80 Dental.
We will be able to answer your questions about heading to Turkey for dental treatment and help you to come to an informed decision about the next steps that are right for you.
Contact us for advice and guidance
Reach out to our friendly reception team, who can either book you in for an appointment with our treatment coordinator, or for a clinical assessment with one of our experienced dentists.
