According to figures from The Mirror, as many as 35,000 British and Irish citizens have travelled abroad to countries such as Turkey for cheap dental care. Reality TV and social media stars have displayed the seemingly great work that dentists abroad have performed for them on their social media handles. However, the reality is actually very different. Botched treatments, painful surgeries and irrevocable tooth damage are all problems that patients have experienced when travelling to Turkey, and these stories are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Jetting off to countries like Turkey for dental treatment has become a worrying trend.
You might not be surprised to read that as dentists caring for patients’ smiles here in Northampton, we would discourage you to seek dental treatment abroad.
Take a look at why dental tourism could be catastrophic for your teeth and your emotional wellbeing.
Clinic hygiene levels might pose a threat to your health
In the U.K dental practices are beholden to the Care Quality Commission, which sets strict guidelines on hygiene within clinical environments. This means the possibility of picking up an infection whilst having your treatment in the U.K is extremely low. However, countries such as Turkey do not impose the same guidelines, which could leave you vulnerable to falling ill.
You might not get full transparency on your chosen treatment
Many people who have been attracted by the idea of dental treatment abroad don’t actually know what certain treatments entail. Unfortunately, as dentists in countries such as Turkey and Greece don’t have to adhere to the high standards we have set by the GDC here in the U.K, you might not get full transparency on what your chosen treatment involves.
Treatment such as veneers and crowns involve having to have a significant portion of your tooth enamel etched away, to make way for them to fit over the front surface and the whole surface, respectively. Katie Price famously posted a photo of her teeth when 2 of the veneers she had fitted in Turkey fell out.
If you’re looking for restorative treatment, you should approach a reputable dentist who will be fully transparent with what’s involved with your chosen treatment. If you’re looking for a minimally-invasive means of restoring your teeth, you may wish to opt for a treatment such as composite bonding, which is performed by an experienced cosmetic dentist here in Northampton.
You may end up needing treatment once back home
Botched dental treatment abroad may lead to you requiring additional treatment once home.
Some of the common problems we see with patients who have come back from abroad include:
- Serious gum irritation as a result of failed teeth whitening treatment. Here at Cliftonville Dental, we use custom-made whitening trays and whitening gel with safe levels of hydrogen peroxide.
- Dental implants that have failed. The use of poor quality implants and poor planning techniques can lead implants that have been placed abroad to fail. We’re proud users of Nobel Biocare, the world leader in dental implants. The company is known for being the pioneer in dental implant technology and progress.
- Crowns that have been made from low-quality materials. We’ve seen many patients who have come to us with crowns that have become damaged a mere couple of years after they have been placed abroad. Good quality crowns should last in the region of 10-15 years. Here at Cliftonville Dental, we use the state-of-the-art CEREC system, which produces durable, ceramic crowns. Ceramic closely resembles real tooth enamel.
- Crowns that have been stuck together. This makes flossing an impossibility, leading to poor oral hygiene later down the line.
In some scenarios, dentists in the U.K will not be able to address the given problem. Many dentists abroad will drill healthy teeth and place crowns over the top. There is little that can be done, once significant amounts of healthy tooth structure has been lost.
In the U.K, dentists will not drill into healthy teeth with a view to placing a crown or a veneer.
How to find a reputable private dentist in Northampton
Knowing what to look for when searching for dental treatment is a sensible first step. Here are some of the characteristics you should look for in a dental practice here in the U.K.
- Reviews: The practice has multiple positive reviews from patients.
- Clinicians: The clinicians working at the dental practice have trained at well-known institutes.
- A commitment to advanced training: The clinicians regularly go on training courses to expand their knowledge so that it is concurrent with the developments in dentistry.
- Advanced facilities: The practice is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and uses premium materials to make restorations like crowns and veneers.
Contact your private dentist in Northampton
Contact our reception team to book your appointment with us here in Northampton. We are open during the week and available to take appointments at the weekends, should you need to see a weekend dentist.