If you’ve had crowns or dental crowns, veneers or implants fitted abroad you’re probably wondering “Will UK dentists work on Turkey teeth?”
Its one of the questions we get asked most commonly by UK residents and patients who have returned from Turkey.
The short answer is yes but there are some exceptions.
Will UK dentists work on Turkey teeth?
Yes they will. Most dentists in the UK can assess teeth after treatment abroad and many dentists have some experience of treating complications after cosmetic dental procedures from other countries and other dental treatments carried out abroad.
That doesn’t mean that every dentist will agree to try and repair or replace your cosmetic dental work. There are several reasons why some dentists prefer not to work on teeth that have been treated abroad:
- What dental work was done? Single crown? Multiple veneers or composite veneers? Composite bonding? Full mouth restoration?
- What is wrong? One crown came off? All crowns have gaps under them? Pain? Infection?
- Does the dentist have the experience? Equipment? Training? Ability to access compatible labials and materials?
- What records exist? X-rays? Treatment notes?
Will a UK Dentist Look at Turkey Teeth?
Yes. Your dentist can see you and examine your teeth. They should be able to look inside your mouth and listen to any symptoms you explain.
Its when things go beyond that basic examination that you may find some dentists don’t feel able to offer further treatment. Examples of where this applies include:
- Repairing a crown or veneer
- Replacing multiple restorations
- Treating an infection through an existing crown
- Trying to access a failed root canal through an existing crown
- Working with an unknown or incompatible implant system
- Taking on-going responsibility for complex dental implants, All-on-4 procedures, or full mouth cases
Will your dentist replace teeth from Turkey?
Some dentists will say yes. Others may feel happier referring you on to a colleague with more experience of restorative dentistry or another dental professional.
That isn’t necessarily because they don’t want to help you. Its simply because the treatment needed to correct the problem falls outside of their normal area of practice.
Remember, your dentist should always work within their level of training and competence. The General Dental Council (GDC) expects every dental professional to work within their competence.
Why Won’t Some UK Dentists Work on Turkey Teeth?
But most dentists don’t want to treat your teeth without knowing what they are treating.
When your dental treatment was carried out in Turkey by another dental clinic your dentist in the UK has limited information about:
- What your teeth were like before treatment began
- How much healthy tooth was removed
- Whether any root canal treatment had been done previously
- What materials were used during your treatment
- How your bite was adjusted
- What dental implant system was placed
- Why certain treatment options were chosen instead of others
Does your dentist in the UK automatically become responsible for your Turkey teeth?
No. When your dentist carries out an examination or provides you with treatment they are always responsible for their own clinical decisions.
That’s why some dentists may be reluctant to do even a small repair if they feel there could be a larger underlying issue.
Let me give you an example. Say you have a crown that keeps falling off.
To reattach the crown may be easy. But what if there is an underlying bite issue? Or decay under the crown? Or not enough remaining tooth structure to support the crown?
Simply sticking the crown back on again may not provide a long term predictable solution. Your dentist needs to understand why the crown keeps falling off before they can decide how best to treat you. They don’t want to just be the next dentist in the line of people who have tried to fix it!
Will an NHS Dentist Look at Turkey Teeth?
If you’ve had dental work abroad that doesn’t automatically mean you can’t see your NHS dentist for assessment or emergency treatment.
If you’ve returned to the UK with an acute problem or emergency after private dental treatment abroad NHS guidelines allow for you to be assessed and treated in order to provide relief of immediate oral-health needs and stabilise the condition.
If you’re unhappy with your cosmetic dental treatment thats fine. Cosmetic dentistry and cosmetic treatments are different from treatment needed to protect oral health, though some private clinics may offer options like 0% finance, and may involve different treatment options. But expressing dissatisfaction with the colour, shape or size of your new teeth does not make it a health concern that can be addressed by your local NHS dentist.
Will the NHS Fix Turkey Teeth?
It depends on why you need them fixed.
If you return to the UK and have serious dental pain, a severe toothache, or infection your dentist’s first priority is to diagnose the problem and treat the cause of the pain. This may be as simple as providing pain relief but could also include treating the tooth itself, antibiotics for infection or extraoral swelling and attending follow up appointments with either your dentist or an oral surgeon.
It might even involve taking the tooth out if there is no other option.
If your dental restorations from Turkey are healthy but you’re not happy with them, thats an entirely different situation.
Routine NHS dental treatment won’t automatically be provided just because your restorations were completed privately abroad.
The difference is between needed dental treatment and elective cosmetic adjustment. An emergency dentist may stabilise an urgent problem, while longer-term treatment plans depend on the diagnosis.
What If Your Turkey Teeth Hurt After Coming Home To The UK?
Pain is not normal. Whatever the reason its important to get them checked out.
I can’t tell you why your crown or veneer hurts without examining you. But thats true of any dentist you visit.
Your pain or sensitive teeth could be coming from a number of sources. Your dentist will check the pulp of the tooth itself. They will examine your bite. They will check for infected gums and assess the tooth restoration margins. Your supporting jaw bones may need to be checked too.
Asking for dental X-rays may also be necessary depending on the cause of your symptoms.
With implant restorations from Turkey your dentist may wish to assess the implant placement, the supporting bone and gum health as well as the implant restoration and bite.
Diagnosing the cause of your symptoms is the first step to prescribing the right treatment. The crown may be fine but the real problem could be the tooth underneath. Equally your bite may be too tight.
What If a Crown From Turkey Comes Off?
As far as your dentist is concerned keeping it is always better than losing it.
Don’t try and glue your crown back on with super glue!
You should always let your dentist examine the restoration that has fallen off along with the tooth underneath. Sometimes re-cementing is possible. Sometimes your dentist may recommend against it.
Ask why it came off rather than the dentist simply telling you they can’t replace it. There could be a number of reasons including decay, damage to the restoration, insufficient remaining tooth structure to support the crown and much more.
Can UK Dentists Replace Crowns or Veneers Made in Turkey?
Yes they can although how simple this is depends on why the crown or veneer needs replacing in the first place.
The fact that your crown or veneer was placed abroad doesn’t mean your dentist won’t try and replace it. But they do need to know what condition your natural teeth are in underneath.
That could include checking:
- How much healthy tooth structure remains
- If there is decay present
- The health of the pulp inside the tooth
- Examining the gums
- Checking your bite
- Whether or not a new restoration will be able to be supported predictably
Why Are Dental Records Important?
If your treatment was completed in Turkey we recommend requesting copies of your dental records before you leave, especially after complex Turkey teeth treatments.
Having copies of your dental records makes life significantly easier for any dentist needing to understand your existing dental work and plan appropriate follow-up care or treatment plans. Obviously your dentist won’t need to know every detail about your treatment in Turkey but some information is useful to have.
Clinical notes about your original dental condition, any treatment carried out, dental X-rays, CBCT scans (if applicable) the restorative materials that were used, information about dental implants (if any) and any root canal treatment helps you, or any other dentist, have a much better understanding of what work has been done.
If you’ve had dental implants placed in Turkey what records should you keep?
If you’ve had dental implants abroad thats another area of concern. Dental implant systems are not universally compatible.
There are significant differences in implant systems from one manufacturer to another. Not only the implants themselves but the instruments, screws, abutments and prosthetic components can all differ between companies.
If your crown falls off its great if your dentist knows exactly which implant system was placed. However if they don’t know which implant you have its going to take longer to find out.
Ideally you should have:
- Information about the implant manufacturer
- Which implant model was placed
- Some idea of the implant dimensions or platform where applicable
- Details of the implant restorative components used
Can UK Dentists Maintain Dental Implants From Turkey?
Yes they can…eventually.
Monitoring the health of your dental implants doesnt simply involve tightening something that has come loose.
Ideally your dentist will examine:
- The gums around the implant
- Bone levels supporting the implant
- Can you keep them clean?
- Examining the implant restoration itself
- Your bite
- Are there any signs of problems with the implant either biologically (gum recession, bone loss) or mechanically speaking (tightening screws, loose restorations)?
If your dentist knows what implant system was placed and can easily access compatible components in the UK its easier to plan future care. If your dentist doesnt know which implant you have having even a relatively minor mechanical issue can become complex to manage.
That’s why patients should ideally receive an implant passport or record as part of their original dental implant treatment rather than trying to work it out years later by taking things apart.
Will a Private Dentist in the UK Work on Turkey Teeth?
Some dentists will. Others won’t.
Your treatment was private didn’t automatically mean that every private dentist will accept your dental problem.
If your dentist decides that your case is too complex they should tell you. Equally they may simply feel that another colleague would be better placed to help with your specific problem.
Can I Find a Dentist in the UK Who Fixes Turkey Teeth?
You should be able to. But if you’ve had complex dental work done previously you’ll probably need to be more specific in which dentists you approach.
Ask for dentists or practices that have experience in repairing complex restorations, full mouth rehabilitation, managing smile makeovers, taking care of dental implants or managing implant complications.
Take your dental records with you, explain what symptoms you are experiencing and let your dentist examine you and diagnose the problem before you decide to replace everyones teeth!
Should You Return to the Same Dentist in Turkey?
Returning to Turkey to see your dentist can work. Especially if you are still covered by an aftercare policy they have agreed to honor.
Getting an independent second opinion from a dentist in the UK could help you decide what to do before you next book a flight.
You can then take those findings back to your clinic in Turkey and make an informed choice about your next step.
Who Pays for treatment required to correct Turkey teeth in the UK?
This will depend on where you decide to have any treatment done.
If you privately pay for your own treatment to correct dental work completed in Turkey your local UK practice should charge you for their time. Whether or not the clinic in Turkey refund you any of the cost will depend on the terms of any guarantee or aftercare policy you have.
Just because a clinic says they offer “lifetime guarantee” or “free corrections” does NOT mean your future dental expenses will be paid for.
Find out what their guarantee actually covers.
Does it cover;
- Clinical Treatment?
- The cost of the restoration itself?
- Laboratory fees?
- Travel expenses (Flights)?
- Hotel costs?
- Treatment provided by another dentist?
Asking these questions BEFORE you have any dental work completed in Turkey will prevent any confusion later should you experience complications.
It also allows you to make an informed decision rather than being pressured into treatment abroad because you believe “its free anyway”
What Do UK Dentists think about Turkey Teeth?
There has been concern raised by UK dental organisations about what happens after patients return from dental tourism and other dental treatments carried out abroad. A survey by the British Dental Association spoke to 1000 dentists across the UK. Of those that responded;
94% have examined patients following dental tourism
…and raised concerns over continuity of care.
That doesnt mean 94% of dental work from abroad is destined to fail.
But it does explain why UK dentists are commonly examining patients that have previously travelled abroad for dental care.
Will UK Dentists Work on Turkey Teeth? The Bottom Line
Your dentist can work on Turkey teeth. But they can’t promise to take responsibility for every patient that walks through the door with a complication from dental treatment abroad.
It doesn’t matter where you’ve had your dental work done. If your dentist cant examine you, understand what you need and have the ability and confidence to treat you then they will say no.
If you’re currently sat at home with Turkey teeth keep your dental records safe and see a dentist if you have any concerns.
Thinking about having dental work abroad?
Consider your dental check-up or follow up care BEFORE you leave.
The dental work you receive in Turkey might take a couple of weeks. Ensuring you can keep it healthy for many years to come is a much longer commitment.