Grandad looks '10 years younger' after having 16 teeth pulled out with Turkey implants

A former heavy smoker says he looks a decade younger after he had 16 yellowing and rotting teeth removed and replaced with implants in Turkey.

Paul Pilkington, 70, avoided smiling because he was self-conscious of teeth after 50 years of smoking.

The grandad of 18 quit the habit when wife Mandy, 50, died in September 2020 from a heart attack.

Determined to make a change, he jetted off to Turkey where for £7,000 his remaining gnashers were replaced with a full set of implants, giving him the perfect smile.

Paul said: “I requested to have all my teeth removed. Three were loose, and four were damaged.

Paul with his wife Mandy, who died in 2020 of a heart attack (Courtesy Paul Pilkington / SWNS)

Paul's old teeth were yellowing and rotting (Courtesy Paul Pilkington / SWNS)

"Logic said rather than trying to match up what was already in my mouth, it was better just to remove the whole lot.

I worked in entertainment all my life and was always self-conscious being in front of people every day.

"I never used to smile properly because I didn't want people to see my teeth.

"I also had some which were loose and it was painful to chew on them.

"But now I can't stop grinning and I don't have to worry about any of that any more.

Paul with granddaughter Deleana says people say he looks a decade younger (Courtesy Paul Pilkington / SWNS)

Paul had titanium pegs implanted before the procedure was finished (Courtesy Paul Pilkington / SWNS)

"The transformation changed everything. My confidence is through the roof now.

"People say it's taken 10 years off me.”

He was fitted with temporary dentures and sent home for his implants to embed securely into his mouth before the next step.

Paul returned a few months later to a different firm to have the implant crowns anchored into the implants.

He said of his new look: "I get compliments all the time now.

"A lot of my friends have told me it's taken 10 years off me - or more! I agree they make me look a lot younger.

He avoided smiling in public because of his teeth (Courtesy Paul Pilkington / SWNS)

Paul is now delighted with his new look (Courtesy Paul Pilkington / SWNS)

"You sometimes see these young people go abroad and get these bright white teeth done that look false.

"Mine look totally natural and exactly what I wanted.

"I had the transformation done and this time they made sure they were an absolutely perfect fit with no pain.

"When I looked in the mirror and saw them, I just felt brilliant. The transformation was unbelievable - I couldn't believe it.

"You get so many horror stories of people getting their teeth done abroad, but if you do your research it's totally fine.

"I have no regrets whatsoever - except not getting it done sooner.

"I know Mandy would have wanted me to do this too.”