A warning has been issued for people going abroad for cosmetic dental surgery.
Commonly known as "Turkey teeth", many people are opting to go to countries like Turkey to get their teeth sorted for a reasonably cheap price. In the UK alone, 63 per cent of people aged between 18-34 are considering dental treatments.
Experts are now warning that cheap cosmetic surgery can result in a lifetime of unnecessary, expensive and painful treatments. It has also been revealed that many who opt for the treatment are unsure of what work they've had done when going for veneers but leaving with more invasive treatment such as crowns - where the tooth is filed down and replaced with a fake cap, the Liverpool Echo reports.
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Despite the fact that treatment may be cheaper in the short term abroad, it could ultimately result in a hefty price tag as the procedures can cause damage to people's natural teeth if not carried out properly. When carried out by a trained surgeon, veneers carry a low risk and many benefits to dental health.
However, if an unqualified or unexperienced person carries out the surgery, it can lead to permanent damage to the natural tooth. 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."
Going abroad for veneers has recently become more popular after a wave of celebrities decided to take the plunge. For example, Katie Price 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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