A woman's botched dental procedure abroad has prompted a warning from dentist Dr Sahil Patel about the dangers of "Turkey teeth." According to Dr Patel, patients should conduct thorough research before travelling abroad to receive dental treatments. He recently treated a patient who travelled to Turkey hoping to achieve a "Love Island smile," but ended up having all eight of her front teeth removed. The woman paid £5,000 for the procedure, which involved replacing her front teeth with implants. Unfortunately, her implants became infected and she was left toothless within three months of returning to the UK. Dr Patel, who is the founder of Marylebone Smile Clinic in London, has observed a surge in overseas dental treatments in countries such as Thailand, Hungary, and Romania.
Dental treatments abroad continue to gain popularity, but many patients return to the UK with complications or over-treatment, warned Dr Sahil Patel. Patients seeking the "bright and white" smile popularised by celebrities such as Cheryl Cole may suffer from catastrophic failures due to botched procedures. Dr Patel shared the story of a patient who went abroad for dental implants, but six of the eight implants became infected and had to be removed, costing the patient an additional £3,000 to fix her dental issues. While implants may be a popular alternative to natural teeth, Dr Patel cautioned that they are not as resilient and lack the sensory feedback of real teeth. Proper cleaning and maintenance, as well as specialised treatment, are required to ensure the implants last for the long term.
Dr Sahil Patel suggested seeking dental treatment in the UK, but for those considering going abroad, he offered some tips for selecting a reputable clinic. Warning signs include clinics that do not mention aftercare, provide limited online reviews, cannot answer basic questions, and fail to explain the results of x-rays. On the other hand, positive signs include detailed consultations, full treatment plans, in-depth answers to questions, and comprehensive post-operative instructions. Dr Patel also emphasised the importance of understanding the difference between a 'crown' and a 'veneer' before undergoing any procedure. Patients should also consider the potential long-term costs of complications or defects resulting from overseas dental work, as well as the possibility of dentists in the UK being unwilling to treat them afterwards. Finally, patients should ask themselves if they are willing to accept a compromised outcome due to having all the work done at once.
Dr. Patel has provided a list of useful tips to consider before travelling abroad for dental treatment:
Research local regulations regarding dentistry.
Don't rely solely on influencer recommendations, as they may have a financial relationship with the clinic.
Check if the clinic is registered with the country's national cosmetic association.
Verify if your dental work is guaranteed.
Understand that you may need to travel back to the clinic if any issues arise.
Look into the dentist's case studies.
Know the name of the dentist who will be performing the procedure and conduct research on them beforehand.