Many people dream of dazzling with the perfect smile - and will go to any lengths to get that.
The latest cosmetic dental trend of travelling abroad to get cheap treatment is becoming known as getting "Turkey teeth" because many opt to go to countries like Turkey for the procedure. In the UK alone, 63% of those considering dental treatments are aged between 18-34.
But experts say people are committing to a lifetime of unnecessary, expensive and painful treatments as it’s found that many don’t even know what work they’ve had done when going for veneers [a wafer-thin covering for the front of the tooth] but coming away with a far more invasive outcome like crowns, where the surgeon will file down the existing teeth and add a fake tooth cap (or crown). While it may be cheaper in the short-term to travel abroad for the treatment, it could end up costing thousands in the long run as the procedures can cause damage to people's natural teeth if not carried out properly.
READ MORE: Jennifer Ellison shows off new gleaming teeth after trip to Turkey
When done properly, veneers offer a low risk, long-lasting solution to perfecting your smile. However, if carried out by an unqualified or inexperienced person, they can cause irreversible damage to the natural tooth.
Dentists have warned against damaging and costly procedures. Harley Street Smile Clinic said: "Our clinic has been inundated over the last couple of years with young people who have been misled by bargain cosmetic dental centres in Turkey. Having been left with the harsh reality of a lifetime of dental work, costing far beyond the cost of having veneers done in the UK, often our clients have no idea what work they’ve actually had done, or what’s involved in rectifying the issue."
Even some celebrities have taken the risky trip to have their teeth done abroad. Katie Price is one of the latest examples as she shared footage of her having her natural teeth shaved down. She said: "I look like a Bond villain!"
Dr Maurice Johannes, Principle Dentist at Harley Street Smile Clinic, said: “I can’t stress enough that people need to be 100% clear about exactly what they are signing up for when they go abroad for cosmetic dental treatment. Although patients are under the impression they are having veneers, in reality they are having crowns placed, which means much more aggressive tooth reduction. Katie may be happy with the finished look, but with this amount of tooth reduction it increases massively the risk of having nerve damage and root canal treatment.”
Common issues with 'Turkey teeth'
- 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
Things to do before having dental cosmetic surgery
- 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.
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