The Turkish dental boom has helped many, but there are others who are wary of visiting the country. The low cost, however, remains an irresistible lure, especially for those seeking more expensive procedures like dental implants.
Where one dental implant costs £2,500 in the UK, it’s only around £500 in Turkey. Even after you factor in the cost of flight tickets, which is around £300, Turkey’s cheaper. But is it really safe?
The truth is, you can safely get dental implants Turkey. However, here, just like anywhere else, you need to do your research to find the right dentist and clinic.
While it’s usually argued that you end up paying later for a cut-price treatment abroad, again, there are plenty of people who have had dental implants in Turkey who’d disagree. So, let’s discuss the answer to is it safe to get dental implants in Turkey.
Are Turkish Teeth Implants Safe?
Turkish dental implants that are branded and FDA-approved with CE marking should be safe for you to get.
Among the top dental implant brands, you’ll hear names like:
- Straumann (Switzerland)
- Hiossen (US)
- Zimmer (US)
- Nobel Biocare (Sweden)
- Dentsply (Germany)
- Envista (US)
These are all international brands and some of the most popular ones among implantologists, even in Turkey.
But, of course, this list is not exhaustive. However, you can always look up the particular brand of the implant to make sure it’s high-quality and well-reputed.
The point is that it’s nothing but a false allegation that all Turkish dentists use poor-quality dental implants that are unsafe.
And other than the brand itself, you can further ensure whether or not a Turkish dental implant is safe by checking if it’s FDA-approved. The FDA further evaluates implants in line with the “international consensus standards” while also checking their “biocompatibility.”
The CE marking is another plus since it signifies that a product complies with the European Union’s “safety, health, and environmental” standards.
However, aside from the quality of the implant itself, you also need to find someone who’s trained and experienced enough to place it safely. Needless to say, you can find many such dentists across Turkey.
Turkish dentists get a degree after 5 years of education and become specialists after a “DUS” exam and 3-4 years of training. On top of this, many have decades of experience in their field.
However, they must be registered with the Turkish Dental Association (TDB) and have their clinic registered with the Ministry of Health to offer their services legally.
So, the answer to “Is it safe to have dental implants in Turkey” is yes, but only if the clinic uses quality implants and the dentist is experienced enough to place them safely.
Who Should Have Dental Implants In Turkey?
If you want to save about 50-70% on the UK cost of dental implants, you can consider getting dental implants in Turkey.
Even at low cost, quality in Turkey doesn’t suffer. The reason for the low cost is the cost of living and currency exchange (you do need to do your research, though).
But cost isn’t the only consideration for those thinking of getting implants in Turkey. The health of your jawbone, along with overall health, is also important.
Since the dentist will have to fit the implant into your jawbone, if there’s not enough of it, it won’t stay in place. In that case, you might need a bone graft or sinus lift before you can get implants.
Of course, there are dentists in Turkey who offer these procedures as well to make sure their patients get the best results.
In addition to bone health, the health of the gums is also important for those wanting implants to avoid issues during recovery.
But this surgery is contraindicated for those with heart issues, cancer, immune disorders, and even heavy smokers.
So, if you meet the criteria above, you should further consult a dentist in Turkey before making a final decision.
Is It Worth Going To Turkey For Dental Implants?
It is worth getting dental implants in Turkey because of the low cost, high-quality and no long wait times.
In the UK, you usually have to get implants privately. Although even if you’re getting it on the NHS, you might face issues because of the very long wait times (reportedly, some have been waiting for years to get NHS dental).
Privately, however, a dental implant can cost you between £2,500 and £3,500 (including the cost of a dental crown). And this is for just 1 implant.
If you’re seeking full mouth restoration, you can expect the cost to be between £20,000 and £30,000 – this does not include the price of any additional procedures like extractions, lifts, or grafts.
Compared to this, Turkey implants teeth prices are a steal. Full mouth restoration likely costs you around £10,000 (or even less), including the cost of the hotel, transfers, and your flight.
Meanwhile, you’ll get treated by a registered dental surgeon at a government regulated clinic.
It’s true that you’ll have to visit Turkey twice (since implants have to fuse with the bone before restorations can be permanently fixed on them).
Even so, you’ll save money in Turkey with quality dental care, which is what makes it worth it to many dental tourists.
What Should Be Considered When Getting Dental Implants In Turkey?
If you’re considering getting dental implants in Turkey, checking out the following may help you:
Reviews
You only need to go to Google to find the reviews that other patients have left for your dentist.
And for this, you can check out the company’s website, Google Reviews, Trustpilot, Realself, ProvenExpert and even online forums to make sure you’re making the right choice.
Licensing & Registrations
Ask for proof of your dentist’s licence and registration as well as that of their clinic.
Keep in mind that the dentist must be a member of the Turkish Dental Association, and the clinic must be registered with the Ministry of Health.
You should further ask about the experience and specialisation of the dentist as well to further make sure that you’ll safely get your dental implants in Turkey.
Keep in mind that dental implants are an invasive procedure so it can carry risks.
The important thing to do here is ask your dentist about the complications that can occur and how they’ll deal with them (or have dealt with them in the past).
Implant Brand
You must ask your dentist about the brand of implant. And to make sure that a counterfeit is not being used, you can further ask for the certificate that comes with the implant.
The quality of dental implants matters because there are many different types of implants.
And your dentist should be experienced enough to know which one would suit you best depending on your case, location in the mouth, bone density, etc.
Fluency In English
You need to be able to communicate your concerns to your dentist.
It’s important that either your dentist speaks fluent English or you’re accompanied by a translator to make sure you’re all on the same page regarding your treatment plan.
Aftercare
You need to take this into consideration when getting dental implants in Turkey.
As mentioned above, dental implants are invasive as your dentist will cut into your skin and drill into your bone to place them.
So, you need to be able to rely on the clinic to be there for you during recovery (if or when you need them).
It’s for this reason that Longevita offers aftercare in London to patients with a GDC-registered dentist. That way, you can have complete peace of mind.
Conclusion
The reason why many flock to Turkey for dental implants is that they’re able to get a quality treatment for much cheaper.
Illegal operators anywhere can tarnish the name of any industry, which is why you must do your due diligence in finding a good dental surgeon.
Additionally, you must learn more about the kind of implant being placed in your mouth, so you can feel even more comfortable in your decision.
And this way, you can safely get dental implants in Turkey.
Reviewed and approved by Dr Izbel Aksit