Truth behind “Turkey teeth” & what to consider before cosmetic dental work

Learn more about Dr. Natalie Inoue

If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably seen dramatic before-and-after videos tagged with “Turkey teeth.” The term started as slang, but it’s now widely used to describe a specific kind of dental tourism, often to Turkey, for full sets of veneers or crowns in just a few days.  So, what are “Turkey teeth,” really? 

• It usually refers to full-mouth crowns or veneers placed on most or all visible teeth. 

• Treatment is often done very quickly, sometimes in just one or two visits during a short trip 

• Many people travel abroad hoping for a perfectly white, uniform “Hollywood smile” at a lower price than they’d pay locally.
  
  

While some patients are happy with the cosmetic result at first, others later share stories of pain, sensitivity, broken crowns, or difficulty chewing. That’s why it’s important to look beyond the trend and understand what’s actually happening to your teeth. 

Understanding the rise of dental tourism to Turkey 

Turkey has become one of the most talked-about destinations for dental tourism. It’s known for medical and cosmetic procedures that are often marketed as: 

• Fast 

• Affordable 

• “All-inclusive”
  
  

 A typical Turkey dental tourism package for teeth might include: 

• A virtual or brief in-person consultation 

• X-rays and impressions 

• Multiple crowns or veneers, often focusing on every tooth that shows when you smile 

• Hotel accommodations and airport transfers 

• A short follow-up visit before you fly home
  
  

On paper, this can sound appealing, especially if you’ve been living with worn, discolored, or damaged teeth. But understanding the difference between cosmetic makeovers and functionally driven restorative care is critical before you commit.

Risks of cosmetic dental work done overseas  

There are skilled clinicians everywhere in the world, including Turkey. The concern isn’t about geography, it’s about how aggressively your teeth are altered, how carefully your bite is planned, and how follow-up care is managed.  Here are some of the most common risks associated with aggressive “Turkey teeth”–style treatment:

Over-prepping healthy teeth for crowns 

For many of these makeovers, teeth that could have been treated with more conservative options are significantly shaved down to place crowns. That can mean: 

• Removal of healthy enamel 

• Thin, weakened teeth underneath the crowns 

• Higher risk of root canal treatment in the future
  
  

Once tooth structure is removed, it cannot be put back. Even if the initial result looks good, your natural teeth have undergone a major, permanent change.  

Pain, infection, and poorly fitted restorations 

Rushing full-mouth treatment into a short trip can create additional risks: 

• Poorly fitted crowns or veneers that trap bacteria at the margins 

• Bite problems that make it hard to chew comfortably 

• Sore jaw muscles and headaches 

• Temporary or longer-lasting nerve sensitivity
   

If infection develops under a crown or in the root of a tooth after you’ve flown home, you may need emergency care, often from a dentist who wasn’t involved in the original treatment.  

No easy access to follow-up care 

One of the biggest issues with dental tourism is what happens after your trip. Complications don’t follow a travel schedule, and you may run into: 

• Limited ability to return to the original clinic 

• Difficulty getting records or details of the materials used 

• Local providers who may hesitate to work over someone else’s extensive, complex restoration 

• Materials that will be difficult to duplicate in texture and shade if a tooth fails or veneer chips off.
  
  

Even simple adjustments can be more complicated when the original team is thousands of miles away.

When “Turkey teeth” leads to regret or medical issues 

Not everyone who travels for dental work has a bad experience. But when problems do occur, the impact can be significant, both physically and emotionally.  

Nerve damage, bite issues, and prosthetic failure 

Complications some people report after aggressive cosmetic treatment include: 

• Nerve damage, causing persistent sensitivity or pain 

• A bite that doesn’t feel right, leading to jaw tension and difficulty chewing 

• Chipped, cracked, or loosening crowns 

• Crowns that don’t meet correctly, putting extra stress on certain teeth
  
   

If underlying teeth are compromised or infection develops after you return home, repeating the same dental treatment is usually not possible.   Extractions and more comprehensive prosthetic restoration, such as implant-supported teeth, may now be necessary.  

Emotional toll of botched cosmetic results 

The emotional side is often under-discussed. Patients who feel their “Turkey teeth” have gone wrong may describe: 

• Embarrassment about how their teeth look 

• Anxiety about needing more treatment after already investing time and money 

• Regret about making a quick decision based on social media or online advertising
  
  

Instead of feeling more confident, some people end up feeling more self-conscious than before.

Safer alternatives for restoring your smile 

If you’re thinking about a big change to your smile, it’s understandable to look at before-and-after photos and dream about fast results. But long-term oral health depends on more than a bright shade of white.  

A safer, more sustainable approach typically includes:  

A full evaluation of health and function 

A thorough exam should look at: 

• Gums and bone health 

• Tooth structure and existing restorations 

• Your bite—how your upper and lower teeth fit together 

• Jaw joints and muscles 

• Overall medical history and medications
  
  

The goal is to understand why your teeth look or feel the way they do—not just cover them.  

Functionally driven planning by prosthodontists 

At ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, care is led by prosthodontists—specialists in restoring and replacing teeth. Instead of focusing only on cosmetic changes, prosthodontists: 

• Determine what is the root cause for your dental breakdown and begin education and interventions to curb the problem and protect your future dental work   

• Design restorations to support chewing, speech, and long-term comfort 

• Consider how crowns, bridges, or implant-supported teeth will function as a system 

• Partner with well vetted dental laboratories and require full disclosure of dental materials and techniques 

• Plan treatment that aligns with your medical history and oral health needs
  
   

The aim isn’t a quick “smile makeover,” but a stable, healthy, and functional smile designed to last.  

Thinking beyond veneers and quick fixes 

In some cases, patients who are considering “Turkey teeth” actually have deeper issues: 

• Advanced decay or failing restorations 

• Missing teeth or severe wear from grinding 

• Gum disease or bone loss
  
  

For these patients, prosthetic restoration or implant-supported solutions may be more appropriate than simply placing veneers or crowns on compromised teeth. A comprehensive plan might include: 

• Selective use of crowns or bridges 

• Dental implants to replace missing or unsalvageable teeth 

• Prosthetic designs that restore both appearance and function
  
   

The end result can still be a beautiful, natural-looking smile—but one that’s deliberately planned around your health. 

Turkey teeth FAQs

Why are they called “Turkey teeth”? 

“Turkey teeth” is a slang term that became popular online to describe full sets of white, uniform crowns or veneers often associated with dental tourism to Turkey. Over time, it has come to represent both the aesthetic style and the experience, good or bad, of traveling abroad for fast, dramatic cosmetic dental work.  The name doesn’t mean all dentistry in Turkey is poor quality. It mainly reflects a trend in aggressive, quick cosmetic treatment marketed heavily to international patients. 

Can I fix dental work done abroad? 

In many cases, yes—but it may require a careful, step-by-step plan. Patients who come to ClearChoice Dental Implant Center with problems after dental tourism may need: 

• A detailed evaluation of the existing crowns or veneers 

• X-rays and scans to check tooth and bone health beneath the restorations 

• Adjustments, replacement crowns, or, in some cases, extractions and new prosthetic restorations
  
  

Every situation is different. Sometimes portions of previous work can be used as part of a new plan; in other cases, starting over is the safest option. A prosthodontist can help you understand what’s realistic and what’s safest for your mouth. 

What’s a better option for restoring my smile? 

A better option usually means care that prioritizes your overall health and long-term function, not just a quick visual change. That often includes: 

• A comprehensive exam and imaging 

• A clear explanation of all your options, from conservative treatments to more advanced prosthetic restoration 

• A plan tailored to your goals, medical history, and oral health condition 

• Follow-up care with a team that knows your case
   

At ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, treatment plans may involve: 

• Restoring damaged teeth with crowns or bridges where appropriate 

• Replacing missing or non-restorable teeth with dental implants and implant-supported teeth 

• Designing prosthetic solutions that support eating, speaking, and smiling comfortably
  
  

The objective is to help you feel confident about your smile and confident about the health and stability behind it. 

Thinking about a major change to your smile? 

If you’re considering a dramatic change, whether you’ve been researching “Turkey teeth,” “teeth implants Turkey,” or other dental tourism options, it’s worth taking a step back and asking: 

• What’s really going on with my teeth and gums? 

• Am I looking for a quick cosmetic fix, or a lasting solution? 

• Will I have access to follow-up care from the team that treated me?
  
  

A brighter smile can be life-changing, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your long-term oral health.  If you’d like to explore functionally driven, specialist-led options close to home, you can schedule a free consultation with your local ClearChoice Dental Implant Center. A prosthodontist-led team can help you understand what’s happening in your mouth, what your realistic options are, and how to move forward in a way that supports both your health and your confidence.

Disclaimer: 
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dental advice. Always follow your personal dental provider’s recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and product use.