Plastic Surgery & AestheticsA Hollywood smile is not one treatment but a plan: usually 8–10 upper teeth, or 16–20 teeth across both jaws, covered with porcelain veneers or crowns. The most important decision is how much of your natural tooth is removed – and that should be as little as possible.
Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the tooth. Crowns cover the whole tooth. On healthy teeth, veneers are usually the gentler choice; crowns are meant for teeth that are already damaged, heavily filled or root-treated.
| Porcelain veneer | Zirconia / E-max crown | Composite veneer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth preparation | Thin layer of enamel (about 0.5 mm) | Tooth is reduced on all sides | Little or none |
| Typical lifespan | About 10–15 years | Many years with good care | About 5–7 years |
| Best for | Healthy teeth: colour, shape, small gaps | Damaged or root-treated teeth | Small corrections, lower budget |
What went wrong with 'Turkey teeth'?
In a British Dental Association survey of around 1,000 UK dentists, 86% said they had treated patients with problems after dental treatment abroad – crowns were the most common issue. The typical story: healthy teeth filed down to small stumps for crowns, in a few rushed days. That cannot be undone.
Questions to ask before treatment
- Will my healthy teeth get veneers or crowns – and why?
- How much tooth will be removed?
- Can I see a digital smile design or mock-up before anything is cut?
- Which material and which dental lab are used?
- Who is the dentist, and will I meet them before treatment?
- What happens if a veneer chips or comes off after I fly home?
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
Plan for about 7 days. On the first visit the teeth are examined, prepared and fitted with temporaries; the final veneers or crowns are fitted a few days later, after a check of bite and colour. Treatment is carried out by a dentist, not a plastic surgeon.
Aftercare
- Don't bite hard things (nuts, ice, opening packages) with your front teeth.
- Brush and floss as with natural teeth; see your dentist at home every 6–12 months.
- If you grind your teeth at night, wear a night guard.
- Whitening does not change the colour of porcelain – whiten your natural teeth before treatment if you want a brighter shade.
→ Hollywood smile in Turkey · Porcelain veneer · Zirconia / E-max crown
We offer dental treatment ourselves, so we are not neutral – which is why we stick to facts you can check and to questions you can ask any clinic.
Sources
- Healthline – How long do veneers last?
- City AM – Britain's dentistry woes are creating a health tourism boom for Turkey (BDA survey of ~1,000 dentists)
- Dental Tribune UK – Dental tourism among UK patients is on the rise, BDA reports
Updated: · Information on this website is general and does not replace a medical consultation.