The globe is more interconnected than ever before, and when all the world is your oyster, there’s more to watch out for. So how do you make sure you’re left with a smile makeover that’s not just flattering, but built to last? In a world of dental work horror stories and the infamous “Turkey Teeth” look, we asked experts how to stay safe and what to do when you have to make over a makeover.
The Appeal of Travel Dentistry
Whether you’re seeking dental work abroad because you’re already traveling, or you’re planning an entire trip around a new set of veneers, it’s typically the lower cost that drives people to seek dental work outside of the United States.
“Of course there are qualified dentists around the world, but one of the biggest issues with medical tourism is the lack of knowledge on the part of the consumer,” says Rockville, MD cosmetic dentist Joe Kravitz, DDS. “As a patient, you don’t know the ins and outs of that country’s licensing, regulations and certifications to ensure a safe, quality procedure.”
Additionally, The Woodlands, TX cosmetic dentist and periodontist, Hamid Atabakhsh, DDS points out that the lower cost of a dental procedure in another country leaves out a few hidden costs. “You have to consider your follow-up appointments,” he says. “Are you going to fly back and get hotel accommodations for each visit? And, can you even guarantee that you will see the same dentist if you do?”
There are also potential language barriers, which can make it even more difficult for patients to gauge their trust in a practitioner and communicate what they want out of a smile makeover.
What on Earth Are “Turkey Teeth?”
A phenomenon named primarily for the uniform look of veneers completed in Turkey, “Turkey Teeth” is typically used to describe a veneer makeover that’s exceptionally white and doesn’t fit the patient’s mouth correctly. “The veneers tend to look very white and lack dimension, which makes them look artificial,” explains New York cosmetic dentist Irene Grafman, DDS. “Real teeth have dimension and variations in shade, and when you’re getting a smile makeover with veneers or bonding, that dimension makes a huge difference in the final outcome.”
Alongside color, how the veneers fit is another hallmark of receiving a poor smile makeover. “Occlusion, or how the teeth come together, is the most vital aspect of a smile makeover,” says New York cosmetic dentist Lana Rozenberg, DDS. “If function is not addressed, even if the makeover looks beautiful, you will run into problems like chips or breaks.”
Dr. Grafman also notices a tendency for these makeovers to appear bulky. “People know right away that those teeth aren’t theirs,” she says. “You always want a smile makeover to be undetectable. You want someone to say you look great, but not be able to tell that you had your teeth done.”
Dallas cosmetic dentist Salvator La Mastra, DMD performed a full smile makeover with a gum lift to address this patient’s concerns.
Making Over Your Makeover
When your makeover requires a makeover, having a cosmetic dentist look at what’s underneath your dental work is the first step. “I have seen exceptional work from other countries, and I have also seen horror stories,” Dr. Atabakhsh says. “A poor smile makeover may even cover unhealthy teeth, which can trap cavities and decay beneath the veneers.” At Dr. Rozenberg’s office, she takes X-rays and models before attempting to undo the previous work. “We need a full understanding of the state of the mouth before we can begin creating a new smile.”
Addressing issues like fit, color and shape are common concerns. But, there can also be painful problems to correct, such as broken veneers due to bite problems and chronic gum inflammation. “I remember one patient who received dental work abroad that did not account for biologic width, or the space between the tooth and the bone,” Dr. Grafman recalls. “The result was that the veneers went too deep, causing chronic inflammation in the gums that was obvious every time she smiled.”
Addressing a fractured tooth, Dr. Kravitz fitted this 53-year-old patient with a custom ceramic bridge to restore his smile.
Why We Pay More for Dental Care in the U.S.
“The first dental school in the world was started at the University of Maryland back in 1840 when physicians noted that they didn’t get enough training on the mouth and teeth,” Dr. Kravitz says. “They wanted to stop the snake oil salesmen who were removing teeth at the barber shop. That was the motivation behind the creation of the certification processes in the United States. That training, licensing, certification and regulation are all in place to make sure the patient is protected and the work is being done by a trained professional.”
And that requires an extensive education for U.S. dentists. “It takes a lot of experience and a lot of education,” says San Francisco cosmetic dentist Nisha Krishnaiah, DDS. “There’s a lot to know. You can’t just slap some veneers on anybody, right? And sometimes you must go back to the patient and say, ‘You know what, you’re not ready for veneers. You need orthodontics first.’ Or, ‘Maybe veneers are not the best option for you. Bonding will be perfect, and it will be an even more conservative treatment.’”
“Every country has different requirements, and being able to parse those qualifications is necessary to finding a good dentist,” Dr. Atabakhsh explains. “If you’re in another country and are unfamiliar with their regulations, you are sort of out in the wilderness.”
This 26-year-old patient’s spaces between her teeth left her wanting a veneer makeover. Dr. Krishnaiah accomplished her goals using resin bonding for a stunning result.
Green Flags Mean Go
When seeking a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kravitz explains that patients should look for an active listener. “This is especially true in cases where patients express fear of the procedure,” he says. “It’s important to sit down with them outside of the dental chair and take note of their concerns. This way, they can see that their dentist is actively listening and addressing their fears.”
It’s not only the quality of the dentist that matters, but the laboratory, too. “It’s not just about choosing an experienced dentist. You should also know who is actually making your veneers,” Dr. Krishnaiah advises. “The skill of the ceramist is just as crucial to the final result.” Dr. Rozenberg says that top dentists tend to work with top labs. “The price may be a premium, but there’s a reason for that.”
And, when it comes to the dentist themselves, you want them to show you their work. “You want to see a lot of before-and-after images and a lot of reviews,” Dr. Atabakhsh says. “It’s vital to do your research and make sure that the dentist has performed your procedure a lot, and they’ve done it well.”
Dr. Rozenberg used veneers and gum augmentation to renew this 32-year-old patient’s smile.
