Commonly performed dental procedures in Turkey
Cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch that focuses on improving the aesthetic appearance of the smile and teeth. It can help people with stained, discolored, worn, chipped, broken, or misaligned teeth or if they have gaps due to a missing tooth. It includes a smile makeover technique that improves the appearance of the smile using one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Asymmetric smiles or crooked and diseased teeth can affect a person’s self-confidence, and make them feel uncomfortable or socially exclude themselves. Modern cosmetic dentistry uses new technology and advanced tools to help create a beautiful and enduring smile. The dentists analyze the oral condition and design a suitable treatment plan based on the patient’s needs.
Istanbul dental clinics offer a variety of cosmetic dental procedures including teeth whitening, crowns, veneers, dentures and more. Some of these are also done to fulfill functional or medical needs. The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to treat aesthetically problems of teeth using minimal, but yet effective dental procedures.
A dental implant is a spiral-shaped dental fixture that works as an artificial dental root for replacing a missing tooth. It is one of the three parts of the complete tooth replacement procedure, which includes a dental implant, an abutment and a crown.
A dental implant is a titanium-based screw and abutment is a substance that links the dental implant with the crown. Once the implant is fixed, the area heals while the implant bonds strongly with the bone. Then a crown is made – can be customized in a completely natural-looking crown in an in-house lab.
The average price for getting a dental implant in Turkey ranges from USD 800 and USD 1,000. The dentists use popular implant brands which may lie in the upper range, approx. USD 1,200, which is still three times less than the cost for the same in the US.
All-on-4 dental implants in Turkey are available in several clinics in Istanbul and other big cities. It may range between USD 5500 and 10500 for a full set of All-on-4 implant costs in Turkey.
A dental veneer is a thin plate made of porcelain that is designed to cover the front part of the tooth. It is mainly used to improve the aesthetic appeal of the dental structure and allows the correction of small imperfections such as the shape or the color of the teeth.
The problems of the front teeth can cause aesthetic issues, which can be managed by veneers. Different types of veneers are available based on the kind of materials they are made of, such as composite veneers or full porcelain veneers. The full porcelain veneers provide a natural look to the teeth and they are durable and do not exhibit any stains.
Veneers are generally recommended as a treatment in aesthetic dentistry and have many advantages such as restoration of smile and boost in self-confidence. The procedure involves only a slight loss of tissue and is mostly performed without anesthesia.
Dental veneers cost in Turkey is almost 40% less than the price for the same in other countries such as the US, UK, Germany and Canada. Porcelain veneers cost in Turkey may vary depending on certain factors, including the fee of the dentist performing the procedure. On average, the cost of dental veneers in Turkey ranges between USD 230 – USD 500 per tooth.
A tooth crown is a restorative option in which a dental prosthetic is placed on a damaged tooth to cover it. It not only aims to improve the smile and appearance of the tooth but also prevent it from further damage. Some common causes of getting a dental crown include treating a weakened tooth that has severely decayed or cavity, covering a dental implant, replacing a large filling, covering a damaged or cracked natural tooth or a tooth that has undergone a root canal and align the bite.
There are many types of tooth crowns depending on the type of material used. These include gold or metal crown, porcelain crowns, zirconia crowns and Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns. Porcelain crowns are the most popular types as they appear similar to natural teeth in color as well as texture.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) type is also popular as the metal provides support and strength, while porcelain offers a natural look. Zirconium, a relatively new type of crown, offers the combination of the strength of metal with the porcelain crown’s aesthetic appearance. Lately, high translucent zirconia and layered zirconia crowns have become popular choices.
The cost of tooth crowns in Turkey depends on the type of crown used and the number of crowns required. The price may start from USD 300 and range up based on different factors.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is an effective treatment to improve the smile and teeth color. It involves the removal of discolorations or stains of the teeth. It is considered a form of cosmetic dentistry which can be used to enhance the appearance of all healthy teeth without damaging the teeth structure or gingiva. Teeth whitening in Turkey can be done using mainly two different methods: the plasma-light technology, performed by a dentist at the clinic, or bleaching method, which can be done at home with home whitening kits.
Teeth Whitening with the Plasma – Light Technology involves the use of hydrogen peroxide which is spread on the teeth at a dental clinic in Istanbul. The dentist uses intense light beams which activates the gel and result in the whitening of the teeth. This technique gives an immediate result of teeth whitening.
Root canal treatment
The center of the tooth has a soft area which is called the dental pulp. This pulp tissue can get infected or inflamed due to several reasons, such as tooth decay that has been left untreated, a crack in the tooth, improper or leaky fillings, external trauma and more. Root canal treatment or RCT is a dental procedure to save the tooth.
The major cause of damage, despite any triggering reason, is the penetration of bacteria into the dental pulp. The root canal treatment involves removal of the damaged tissue, thorough cleaning of the canal and filling the gap with fillers. Then the tooth finally is sealed to prevent any further or repeat damage. The goal of the RCT is to save the natural tooth rather than of removing it.
The inflammation of dental pulp which leads to the requirement for root canal treatment can cause many symptoms, the most significant being tooth pain. As the decay or infection in the pulp progresses and reaches nerve tissue, it leads to severe persistent pain. The pain may become less and increase throughout the day. But when the pulp dies due to progressed stage of infection, the pain may disappear completely.
However, it is important to note that the infection has not been cured. Other symptoms such as swelling, sensitivity to hot/cold food or liquids, discoloration of the tooth may also indicate the need for a root canal treatment.
The entire treatment can be completed either in one sitting or require multiple sessions, depending on the condition of the tooth as each case may have a specific condition as well as complications. Sometimes, the dentist may recommend multiple sessions to completely remove the infection from the problematic tooth.
Treatment of Periodontitis or gum diseases
Gum treatment of periodontitis using laser technology and curettage is often performed in Turkey dental clinics. Periodontitis is a disease of gum tissue that holds the tooth in place. In this, the gums and other dental organs such as ligament and alveolar bone may become inflamed due to infection or other causes. Gum diseases are usually accompanied by loss of bone which may cause a fall of the tooth.
This happens when the bacteria that are formed in the gums enter the bone that supports the tooth. As this bone becomes infected and resorbs, the tooth begins to move. Sometimes the tooth can be pulled even though there is no decay or other problem but the bone is lost and no longer supports the tooth.
Periodontitis is often linked to poor oral hygiene and care of teeth. Bacteria that are usually present in the mouth attach to the teeth and cause plaque formation which then results in calculus. Gum diseases can be caused by other conditions such as heredity or due to certain types of drugs. Inflammation of the gums has also been related to an improper prosthesis or incorrect occlusion.
