Turkey Teeth everything you need to know!
Turkey Teeth
The term Turkey Teeth went viral on social media this summer, when Love Island’s Jack Fincher flashed a mouthful of brilliant white teeth that he’d purchased in Turkey. Since then, #TurkeyTeeth has notched up more than 130 million views on TikTok, with many influencers sharing their experiences of cut-price dental treatment abroad. A smile makeover can transform your appearance and restore your confidence- but does dental tourism offer bargain smiles or big problems?
Dental tourism
Dental tourism is a growing industry- but increasingly British dentists are having to treat and troubleshoot problems in patients who have had cut-price dental treatment abroad.
At Fourways, we’ve cared for several patients who have developed serious complications following cosmetic dental procedures abroad-and we’re not alone . The British Dental Association (BDA) reports that dental treatments overseas can be risky and highly invasive. Many patients develop dental problems following treatment which need to be rectified when they return home. In a BDA survey of 1000 British dentists, the vast majority (around 94%) had seen patients who had dental treatment abroad and 86% had had to treat problems following dentistry tourism. It’s a very worrying trend.
What are Turkey Teeth?
The BBC documentary ‘Turkey Teeth: Bargain Smile or Big Mistake’ described Turkey Teeth as:
‘A TikTok trend in which young people are travelling to Turkey to get a brand new smile... by shaving down their natural teeth.’
Typically, in the UK, a smile makeover involves using veneers, which are fine shells placed around the teeth. However, in the Turkey Teeth transformation, the dentist often applies crowns instead of veneers, which can have short and long-term effects on your dental health. When teeth are crowned, 60% - 70% of the natural tooth is filed down, leaving small stubs that look a little like fangs. The dentist then attaches a tooth cap to create a dazzling white, symmetrical smile.
A cheap Hollywood smile is alluring, but this extensive work on healthy teeth can cause problems that can be painful and costly. After treatment, patients may develop infections and abscesses, and in the long-term crowns increase the need for root canal treatments and extractions. Around a quarter of all crowns need removal after 15 years, with patients needing to invest lots of money to keep their perfect smile or face living with dentures.
Dr Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA’s Principal Executive Committee said:
‘…the reality is rarely as simple as it appears on Instagram. Sadly, many UK dentists are now picking up the pieces when things go wrong.’
Hidden costs
Dental treatment in Turkey and other popular dental tourism destinations can seem a bargain. However, there can be ongoing hidden costs in the UK because of the lack of follow-up care abroad. In the BDA survey, two-thirds of dentists reported that patients often had to pay significant follow-on costs, this ranged from £500 to over £5000, depending on the remedial treatment needed. The extra costs of travel and aftercare can really add up- there is a risk that investing in dentistry abroad can be penny wise but pound foolish.
Safe smile makeovers at Fourways
The professional team at Fourways have extensive experience and expertise in cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry, in fact some of our dental surgeons train other dentists in this specialist skill.
We work to enhance your smile, minimising the damage to your natural teeth and protecting against complications. We can use orthodontics to correct tooth alignment, a range of advanced whitening treatments to brighten your teeth, use dental implants to replace missing or damaged teeth and apply veneers to cover minor dental defects and makeover your smile.
Veneers are thin shells of composite material or ceramic. We fit them over the front of your teeth to improve their look or shape, or to fill in gaps. They require much less filing and preparation than crowns, so they are quick, effective and there is less damage to your natural teeth- no wonder they’re so popular in Hollywood!
At Fourways we aim to use the very latest dental technology and techniques. If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry abroad, think carefully. In our experience, the treatments and materials can be outdated, particularly when it comes to dental implants. The BDA advises that you should always check your dentist’s qualifications and experience and whether they are insured in case you develop treatment complications. If you want expert, professional cosmetic dentistry close to home, come and see the team at Fourways for advice and assessment.
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