From rotting gums to bad breath – the seven side effects of ‘Turkey Teeth' that could cost you £15K to fix

The Sun

21-04-2025

NO matter where you turn these days, it seems you can't help but be blinded by dazzlingly white 'Turkey teeth'.
Lured by the promise of a perfect Hollywood smile at a fraction of UK prices, thousands of Brits flock to Turkey each year for cut-price pegs - but there can be gross side effects.
The booming cosmetic dental industry in Turkey is worth a hefty £600million annually and plays a key role in the country's thriving medical tourism sector.
And it's clear to see the appeal.
Here, patients can save up to 80 per cent compared to UK prices - a full set of veneers or crowns typically costs between £3,000 and £6,000 in Turkey, compared to £8,000 to £16,000 for private treatment in the UK.
Even stars such as Katie Price, Love Island 's Jack Fincham and TOWIE's Dan Osborne have flown overseas for the bargain dental work.
Last month, former glamour model Katie, 46, hit back at trolls complaining about her gnashers being "too big for her mouth".
She insisted: "The best thing is I'm happy and that's all that matters."
Meanwhile, Jack previously shocked fans sharing pictures of what his teeth looked like after they were filed down for his veneers.
'I absolutely love my pearly whites,' he boasted in his Love Island VT.
However, while many fly home happy with their new gleaming pegs, a growing number of patients face serious complications from poorly-performed procedures.
This has placed a significant burden on the NHS, which reportedly spends around £5million a year correcting botched dental work done abroad.
Nineties pop icon unrecognisable with bloody mouth as he gets new Turkey Teeth and hair transplant
It can cost around £9000-£15,000 to fix dodgy 'Turkey teeth ', but some clinicians won't take on the job as it can have a huge liability.
Issues range from infections and nerve damage to ill-fitting crowns and excessive tooth filing, often leaving patients in pain and in need of corrective treatment.
While composite veneers involve sculpting and layering white filling material directly onto your natural teeth to improve shape and colour, 'Turkey Teeth', on the other hand, often means shaving down your teeth, sometimes quite dramatically, to fit lab-made ceramic crowns or veneers over the top.
Both procedures can offer amazing results, but it's important to consider the potential side effects, especially when they're rushed or done by someone without the right training.
According to Dr. Jad Elbenni, Specialist in Prosthodontics at The Tooth Club, seven gross issues you should be aware of include…
1. Food Trapping
Adding extra material to your teeth means creating new edges and surfaces, which means perfect hiding spots for food.
If the work isn't polished properly (with composites) or if the crowns don't sit perfectly (with Turkey Teeth), you can end up with food getting stuck around the edges.
Not only is that annoying, but it's also a fast track to decay and gum issues.
2. Bad Breath
This is a big one! Bacteria can sneak in and settle under the surface if veneers or crowns aren't sealed properly.
It's not just the smell; this can also lead to decay or even infections beneath the restorations.
3. Gum Disease
Where food and bacteria go, gum inflammation usually follows.
Swollen, bleeding gums can become a long-term issue if the new smile isn't designed to be gentle on your gumline.
Regular hygiene appointments can help, but they can't fix poor fitting work.
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4. Sensitivity
If you've had your teeth trimmed down for crowns (as is often the case with Turkey Teeth), you're exposing the inner, more sensitive layer of the tooth.
This can lead to long-term or even permanent sensitivity.
With composite veneers, the sensitivity is usually temporary, caused by how the material shrinks slightly when cured.
5. Chips and Cracks
Despite how sturdy they may seem, both composite and porcelain can break under pressure, especially if you're the type to crunch ice, bite your nails, or tear open packets with your teeth (please stop doing that).
The repairs or replacements can be costly.
How do you avoid bulky, bright white 'Turkey Teeth'
ACCORDING to Dr. Jad Elbenni there's one simple—but crucial step: "a test drive, known as a mock-up.
A good cosmetic dentist will offer a digital smile design that shows you how your new teeth will look before they even pick up a drill.
Even better, they can create a temporary version directly on your existing teeth so you can see the size, shape, and colour in real life.
6. Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Composite veneers are cheaper to start with, but they're also more prone to staining and chipping, so you may find yourself replacing them more often.
Turkey Teeth may seem like a bargain abroad, but fixing or maintaining them back in the UK can cost a small fortune, and that's if you can even find a dentist willing to take the job on.
7. Lifespan and Longevity
Nothing lasts forever. Composite veneers usually last around 5–7 years, while porcelain or crowns can stretch to 10–15 but only if they're done well.
But trimming teeth for crowns can weaken them long-term, and in some cases, lead to nerve damage or root canals, shortening the lifespan of the tooth underneath.
I paid £20K for £3K Turkey Teeth and they've ruined my life
STARING at the bill that had been presented to her, Vicky Robinson couldn't believe the figure she was staring at.
Having been told her dental bill would be £3,000 she was horrified to see an additional £7,000 tagged on to the end of it.
The mum-of-three now says that her "nightmare" £10,000 makeover in Turkey is the worst thing she's ever done as she's been left in "agony" for six months and has spent an estimated £10,000 extra trying to fix it.
Vicky jetted there to get a full set of crowns in October.
The 47-year-old claims the procedure was supposed to set her back £3,000.
When she sat in the operating chair, Vicky claims that the surgeon carried out procedures that she hadn't asked for including two sinus lifts, and removing and replacing seven of her teeth with implants.
She alleges she was left in shock when she was handed a bill for £10,000.
Vicky says she was sent home three days later but was in agony because the screws in her implants had come loose.
Vicky claims she flew back to Turkey last month to have her crowns and implants removed and refitted at the same surgery.
She says that this time, the surgeon didn't coat the crowns properly leaving holes visible in her teeth.
Vicky adds: "I can't live without antibiotics because there are holes in my crowns and food gets stuck in them causing an infection.
Vicky plans to fly back out to Turkey next week to have the holes filled in and get a £500 refund for two implants that have fallen out.
She fears she'll never be happy with her smile.
Vicky is sharing her story to encourage other people to have surgery in the UK rather than going abroad.
She adds: "I feel like standing outside with a picket telling people not to do it.
"It's a nightmare. It's the worst thing I've ever done. I wish someone had called me before I went to tell me not to do it."