A single mum, who dreamed of a 'Hollywood' smile, has been left in 'absolute agony' after a botched dental treatment in Turkey.
Zebi Ali flew out to Istanbul after being promised a five-star dental treatment, along with a luxury stay in a spa hotel. When she arrived, it became apparent that she had been sold a dream.
The 34-year-old teacher said: “Initially, I spoke to the dentist via WhatsApp and from there, they organised a free video consultation with me, where they asked me to open my mouth so they could have a look. As she was a five-star rated dentist, I put my trust in her and didn’t care about the money, as I wanted my teeth to be sorted.
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“I was hoping to finally have aligned teeth, as well as being promised a luxury hotel with spa. However, the experience was completely different from how they portrayed it and it was awful from the start."
Zeba said that she did not have many concerns with her teeth, apart from one on the bottom set, which was slightly misaligned. After the consultation, the dentist advised her to have veneers.
Now, she’s been left with an array of issues from non-stop sensitivity to unbearable pain, where she’s unable to eat or drink properly – after her teeth were 'accidentally' shaved into pegs. Recalling the £2,000 procedure in March, Zeba told said: “I asked to look in the mirror, as I didn’t know what they were doing because I couldn’t feel anything and I ran out crying.
“I felt my heart sink and was completely speechless – but it was too late. I was in a state of shock, because I thought they would be placing 'prepless' veneers and wouldn’t touch my natural teeth.
“I informed them I wasn’t told this was going to happen and the procedure would be reversible – but they only apologised for the mistake. They neglected to tell me vital information and failed to mention that my teeth would be ruined forever.
“I was devastated, so immediately got up and left after the veneers, which were actually crowns, were placed.”
While she still boasts natural teeth on her top set, the dentist also shaved two of these down for 'aesthetic' reasons. “Over here, they wouldn’t touch my teeth as they were completely healthy and there was no need," Zeba claimed.
“They would’ve turned me away and given proper orthodontic treatment or composite bonding instead. I was told that the teeth would have a clean ‘veneer’ look and instead, they look thicker, which I hate.
“After the numbing wore off, I felt the intense pain and since, I’ve had a constant problem in one of my teeth which often feels like a ‘prickling’ feeling. I was offered to go back after I had complained and in April, they gave me a root canal to remove the nerves within that tooth.
“Now, the pain has worsened and I’m considering getting the tooth extracted completely or having a dental implant as I can’t live like this. I’m a single mum and it’s affecting my parenting as I’m being short and snappy with my child often.
“Even while talking, I can feel the vibration within my teeth which affects my speech. It’s left me with a serious complex and it’s put severe pressure on my mental health.
“Financially, it’s been a huge burden as I can’t keep taking time off to go back there and I’ll have to get expensive maintenance treatment for the rest of my life.”
Zeba - who is the mother to a four-year-old boy called Noah, claims she was told the sensitivity would subside after six months. However, five months on, there’s still been no sign of this. Due to the pain, she decided to visit her regular dentist in the UK, who told her the crowns will need to be replaced every five or 10 years.
Now, she’s advised others who are interested in having dental work in Turkey to do thorough research. Zeba, of London, added: “Do your research and do not trust them.
“Always speak to a UK dentist first to see what they would offer, as they won’t touch you and do irreversible damage. I’ve since been told I could have had braces or invisalign, which would have solved the problem and prevented cutting down my healthy teeth into stumps.
“I’ve been offered compensation for the crowns only, which doesn’t even cover all the hotels, flights and transfers I’ve had to fork out for. I am absolutely gutted and just wish I had been advised not to cut my natural teeth... I would give anything to have my healthy teeth back’."
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