Turkey is one of the most popular countries among tourists, both regular and medical. While the scenic sights of Turkey are well-known, many are still unaware of its high-quality, affordable healthcare.
Dentistry in Turkey is particularly well-developed. With fifteen dentistry schools preparing some of the best experts in the field, Turkey can fulfil both local dental care demands and offer its quality services to foreign visitors.
Table of Contents
Timescale
2 visits
Price
from £100
Guarantee
15 years
Outcome
local or local with sedation
Straumann Implant – £ 400
Nobel BioCare Implant – £ 600
All-on-4 dental implants – £ 1600
All-on-6 dental implants – £ 2400
All-on-8 dental implants – £ 3200
3-on-6 dental implants – £ 2400
E-Max veneers – £200 per tooth
Metal fused porcelain crown– £100 per tooth
Zirconium crown – £135 per tooth
Cost of Getting Teeth Done in Turkey
Most dental treatments in Turkey will cost less than in the UK, even if they use the same dental supplies (implants, crowns, etc.). The average cost of a dental procedure at a Turkish clinic will be about 50% of the cost of an equivalent procedure in Western Europe and 30% of a similar treatment in the USA.
The cost of dental procedures in Turkey is lower due to the country’s lower living costs, cheaper rent and more affordable medical education. The state also helps clinics to reimburse part of their operating costs, slightly reducing the price of services.
While our services are much more affordable than in Western European countries, MedicaSmile clinic uses the same Swiss and German-made equipment. Because of this, the quality of our services is on par with the best of European clinics.
What Dental Treatments are Popular in Turkey?
Dental clinics in Turkey offer the full range of dental treatments, from straightforward ones, such as teeth whitening, to complex and time-intensive orthodontic surgeries, which include braces installation.
In general, Turkish cosmetic dental services are more popular among medical tourists, as they are not covered by health insurance and thus are prohibitively expensive to perform in their countries.
These treatments include purely cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening and gum contouring, and cosmetic-functional procedures, such as permanent dental prostheses, dentures and veneers. Purely functional procedures, such as root canal treatments, are usually performed as the prerequisites for cosmetic ones.
Teeth whitening can be performed entirely at the clinic, which is more expensive. Alternatively, the patient can get a tooth bleaching kit fitted for their teeth and then apply bleaching gel over several weeks. This method is cheaper, but the results aren’t instant.
Gum contouring is a surgery used to move the patient’s gumline. Patients usually request this surgery if their smiles are too “gummy”. Depending on how much of the patient’s gums are visible when they smile, the surgery cost can vary widely, as the procedure can be very invasive if the patient’s case is severe enough. Small-scale gum contouring is performed using a laser and is significantly less invasive.
Dental Implants in Turkey
Dental implants are a type of tooth prosthesis used to replace the tooth root in case it is severely damaged. They are shaped like screws and are attachment points for visible tooth prostheses. They are made of durable dental materials.
The distinguishing characteristic of a dental implant is its ability to form a connection with the jawbone similar to that of a natural root, even though it is made of artificial materials.
The most common dental implants are metallic, usually of titanium, and porcelain, most commonly made of zirconium ceramic.
Porcelain implants are more expensive than other types. They are white and do not show through if the patient’s gums recede or become thin. The material is non-toxic, non-allergenic and does not react with the patient’s tissues. Due to the material properties, a porcelain implant can’t be made as small as other implant types and may be unsuitable for patients with thin jaws.
Metal implants are durable and reliable. They are more affordable and have been used for a long time, so they are safe and effective. They are typically non-reactive, but a small percentage of the patients can get allergy-like symptoms if they have prolonged contact with metal. They are made in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Furthermore, they are a preferred implant type for such treatments as All-on-4 and Zygomatic implant surgeries.
A dental implant procedure can’t be performed if the patient’s jawbone lacks sufficient density. Otherwise, there is a high risk of getting bone fractures and other serious health complications. Some patients may be eligible for bone graft surgery, which increases the bone density enough to make implant installation possible.
Dental Crowns and Dental Veneers in Turkey
Both dental crowns and veneers are visible tooth prostheses. They have both a cosmetic and a practical function, as they restore the aesthetic appearance of the tooth and can cover the gaps between teeth or be used as part of full-scale tooth restoration.
A dental crown can also be called a full veneer, while a veneer can be called a laminate veneer (or laminate).
Laminate veneers cover just the front of the tooth and are installed to alter its appearance or close the gap between teeth. They can also be installed to make the teeth visually whiter without bleaching them. A laminate veneer can be made of composite resin or porcelain.
Composite resin is a cheap polymer material that is sufficiently durable and can be installed without shaping the tooth. The material can be easily coloured to match the patient’s untreated teeth, but it is just as prone to staining after installation, which makes it less suitable as a long-term solution.
Porcelain veneers are more natural-looking, resistant to damage, and more expensive. There are several types of ceramics used for porcelain laminates. Zirconium ceramic is a popular choice among clients, though its bright white colour and opaqueness can look out of place if the patient does not install laminates on all of their front teeth.
Other types of ceramics can mimic the slight translucency of natural teeth better, but these ceramics tend to be more brittle.
There are also very thin porcelain laminates called lumineers. They are used for treating minor defects in shape or colour.
Laminates are not suitable for large-scale cosmetic tooth restorations, as they only cover a small part of the tooth. They are also thin, so they can show through implanted material if the patient has had root canal treatment or other surgeries that have significantly altered the tooth composition.
Dental crowns replace the whole tooth but are otherwise similar to laminates. They can be installed on natural roots or dental implants. Dental crowns typically have a metallic core covered with porcelain that mimics the appearance of natural tooth enamel. All-porcelain crowns are not uncommon but tend to be more expensive and are prone to fracture, especially if the patient has such conditions as bruxism. In the past, one could also get all-metal crowns, but as they have a conspicuous appearance typical of their material, they are quite rare nowadays, even as a replacement for molar teeth. In general, crowns are a suitable treatment if the patient’s tooth is severely damaged or if treating it otherwise can decrease its structural integrity enough to make it likely to fracture.
Benefits and Risks of Getting Teeth Done in Turkey
The most obvious benefit of getting teeth done in Turkey is the possibility of getting a high-quality procedure for a much lower price than in the patient’s own country. The range of cosmetic treatments offered in Turkey can also be wider, as Turkish clinics are fast adopters of the newest developments in medical equipment and materials.
Many treatments can also be performed during a holiday visit to the country, especially if the patient wants to get straightforward teeth whitening or dental filling procedure.
Dentistry in Turkey has the same risks as in any other country. Some Turkish clinics are better than others, and the patient should carefully review the available options to get the best procedure. There is also no convenient way of having any follow-up appointments without returning to Turkey, so if in-person consultations are important for the patient, getting a dental procedure abroad can be challenging.
Why do Foreigners Prefer Turkey for Dental Treatments?
The main reasons why foreigners prefer Turkey for dental treatments are:
- Low price
- High-quality
- Attractive package deals
Dental services in Turkey are often offered as a package deal that includes accommodation and several types of in-country transportation. It allows medical tourists to get treatments without personally managing all aspects of their stay in Turkey. These extra services are usually offered until the treatment is completed. If the procedure is separated into several stages with long recovery periods in between, the package deal covers only the duration of a single stage.
Besides extra services, Turkish dental clinics can also perform several surgeries in a combined procedure. This way, the tourists can save even more.
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