Cosmetic and dental surgeries have become an increasingly popular reason to travel, with countries like Thailand, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey emerging as prime destinations due to their affordability. For many, the allure of cheaper procedures abroad is hard to resist, but there’s a growing concern surrounding the risks involved—particularly when it comes to dental work in Turkey.
Every day, thousands of people travel to Turkey for cosmetic dental procedures, most notably veneers. The practice has gained so much attention that it has earned the nickname “Turkey Teeth.” This term was coined by cosmetic tourists who set out for what they hoped would be a perfect, celebrity-style smile, only to find that the outcome wasn’t as expected. The phenomenon has gained widespread attention, especially on platforms like TikTok, where stories and experiences are shared.
A BBC documentary, Turkey Teeth: Bargain Smiles or Big Mistake?, explores the growing trend and its consequences. The documentary delves into the stories of people who traveled to Turkey seeking affordable dental procedures, only to end up with serious regrets. Among those featured are Jade and Kelly Tushingham, a couple who want to raise awareness about the painful aftermath of their dental adventure. They described their experience as a “nightmare” that “ruined their lives.”
The main draw for many people considering dental work in Turkey is the cost. Procedures like veneers, which can be prohibitively expensive in the UK and the US—often running upwards of $25,000—are offered in Turkey for a fraction of the price. Jade and Kelly paid just $4,800 for their new set of teeth, a significant savings. However, the bargain price came at a high cost in terms of pain and lasting damage. The procedure, which involves shaving down the natural teeth to create space for the veneers, left the couple in excruciating pain. “We’re both still in constant pain. All the food at the hotel looked beautiful, but we just couldn’t eat any of it,” they said. “Looking back now, we 100 percent would not have had it done.”
The procedure requires the teeth to be shaved down to resemble fangs before the veneers are placed over them, a step that can lead to significant discomfort. For Jade and Kelly, the aftermath was more than just uncomfortable—it was life-altering. “We survived on mashed potatoes and soup, even drinking was difficult as our teeth were so sensitive,” they added. Despite the pain, the veneers, while aesthetically pleasing in photos, brought little joy. “It’s cost us so much money, and it’s been hell,” Jade and Kelly explained. “They look lovely, but it’s like a nightmare.”
Lisa Martyn, a 49-year-old woman who traveled to Turkey in 2021 for dental work ahead of her son’s wedding, shared a similarly painful experience. Initially, Lisa sought to have veneers placed over her teeth, a procedure that typically involves shaving down only a small portion of the tooth‘s surface. However, Lisa quickly discovered that the procedure was far more invasive. Instead of the expected 20% reduction of her teeth to accommodate the veneers, her teeth were shaved down by 70%, leaving her with a drastically altered appearance and severe pain.
Lisa believes she was either misinformed about the procedure or there was a serious language barrier, leading her to undergo a procedure closer to crowns—where the tooth is filed down significantly. “I didn’t know that there were risks involved,” she said. “They had to file down my teeth until they looked like fangs.” Twenty days after the procedure, Lisa’s pain became unbearable, and she developed an abscess in her teeth. The damage was so severe that she now faces the reality of dentures. “I’ve resigned myself to the fact I’m going to have dentures. I don’t know what to do, but my teeth are gone. They’re filed down so much.”
The growing trend of seeking cosmetic dental work abroad is a reminder that affordability should not come at the expense of quality or safety. While Turkey offers a tempting alternative for those looking to improve their smiles, the painful experiences shared by many serve as a cautionary tale for those considering dental tourism.
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