Turkey Teeth Repair
If you've had crowns or veneers fitted abroad and something doesn't feel right, or you're weighing up going, you probably have questions: why a tooth aches, why the gums bleed, whether the work can be redone. This guide explains what is usually going on, what can realistically be repaired, and how to compare treatment abroad with treatment at home, without the scare stories.
Can Turkey Teeth Be Fixed in Edinburgh?
Yes. In most cases the problems that follow "Turkey teeth" crowns or veneers can be treated, although teeth that have been cut down for crowns will always need crowns. At Comely Bank Dental in Edinburgh we start with a second opinion using a 3D CT scan (£160) and an iTero scan, then set out options such as a replacement front crown at £800 or an implant and crown at £2,900, with every fee in writing first.
Can Turkey Teeth Be Repaired in Edinburgh?
In most cases, yes, something useful can be done. What that is depends on what was actually done to your teeth and on the health of the teeth, gums and bone underneath. Sometimes one crown needs replacing or the gums need treatment; sometimes a tooth needs root canal treatment through its crown. Occasionally, where several teeth have failed, implants are the better long-term answer.
What no dentist can do is give back tooth that has been removed. Teeth shaped down for full crowns will need crowns of some kind for life; they can't be converted to veneers or bonding. The aim of repair is to make what you have healthy, comfortable, stable and natural-looking, not to undo the original treatment.
At Comely Bank Dental in Edinburgh I start with a proper second opinion: an examination, X-rays and, where needed, a 3D CT scan and an iTero scan of your bite. You get a written explanation of the options, with fees, before anything is agreed.
What Does "Turkey Teeth" Actually Mean?
"Turkey teeth" is a media nickname, not a fair label for dentistry in any one country. There are excellent dentists in Turkey, as there are here, and rushed work can happen anywhere, including the UK. The phrase usually describes a particular approach:
- Many teeth treated at once, often the whole visible smile in one or two short trips.
- Crowns described as veneers. People are told they're having veneers, but the teeth are prepared for full crowns, which cover the whole tooth.
- Heavy preparation of healthy teeth. A crown means reducing the tooth all the way round; on a front tooth that can remove more than half of the visible tooth.
- Very bright, opaque shades, chosen for drama rather than a natural look.
The distinction matters. A porcelain veneer usually needs only a thin layer of enamel removed, and composite bonding often needs none. A crown suits a heavily filled or broken tooth, but is hard to justify on a healthy one just to change its colour.
Get an Honest Second Opinion
Book an assessment. We'll check every tooth, explain what we find in plain language and give you a written plan with fees before anything is agreed.
What Problems Do People Notice Afterwards?
Many people are happy with their treatment. When problems do appear, often later, these are the most common:
- Sensitivity and aching. Heavy preparation irritates the nerve inside the tooth. Some teeth settle; others stay sensitive or become painful.
- Root canal problems. A nerve injured during preparation can die, sometimes months or years later. Signs include a dull ache, pain on biting, a spot on the gum or swelling, though sometimes it only shows on an X-ray.
- Gum problems. Bulky crowns, or edges that sit deep under the gum or don't fit closely, trap plaque, so the gums bleed, swell or recede.
- Decay under crowns where the edge isn't sealed, and loose or chipped crowns.
- Bite problems. Changing every tooth at once changes the bite, which can mean jaw ache, headaches or repeated chipping. See jaw pain and TMJ.
- Appearance. Teeth that look too white, too long or too flat for your face, or dark lines at the gum.
None of this means your treatment has failed, but it's worth a proper check.
When Should You Get Your Teeth Checked?
Book an examination soon if you notice:
- pain that wakes you, lingers after hot or cold, or hurts when you bite
- swelling, a pimple-like spot on the gum, or a bad taste
- gums that bleed every time you brush around the crowns
- a crown that moves, clicks or feels different when you bite
- a sore jaw or teeth that ache in the morning
If swelling spreads towards your eye or down your neck, or you struggle to swallow or breathe, go to A&E or call 999. For dental pain or smaller swellings, see emergencies. Even if nothing hurts, a check within a year of treatment abroad is sensible, because some problems are silent early on.
How Does a Second Opinion Work at Comely Bank Dental?
A second opinion is an unhurried look at what you have, with no assumption that it all needs redoing:
- Your story. What was done, when and where, and what's bothering you. Bring any records or guarantee paperwork.
- A full examination of every crowned tooth, the gums around it and your bite.
- X-rays, plus a 3D CT scan (£160) if we need to see roots, bone or implants in three dimensions. It shows infection at the root tips, and the position of implants, far more clearly than a flat X-ray.
- An iTero scan, a quick digital impression with no messy trays, giving a 3D model of your teeth and bite.
- A written summary of what's healthy, what isn't, what's urgent and what can wait, with options and fees.
A new-patient examination is £95, or £105 where there's more to assess; we'll confirm which when you book. If implants may be part of the answer, the implant consultation is free. If a difficult experience has left you anxious, tell us: we'll go at your pace, and IV sedation is available for treatment. See nervous patients.
What Are the Repair Options, and What Do They Cost?
Most people need a mixture, and often it's only one or two teeth that need attention. These are the usual approaches:
| Problem | Usual approach | Guide fee |
|---|---|---|
| Inflamed or infected nerve | Root canal treatment, often through the existing crown | £450 front, £595 molar |
| Bleeding or receding gums | Deep cleaning, sometimes in stages | £180, or £167 per stage |
| Poorly fitting or broken crown | Replacement crown | £800 front, £760 back |
| Tooth that can't be saved | Removal, then an implant and crown | £2,900 |
| Several failing teeth in one jaw | Full-arch implant bridge, with the failing teeth removed | £15,000 to £18,500 per arch, depending on package |
| Grinding or repeated chipping | Night guard | £220 |
I would always rather keep a tooth than replace it, so dental implants come in only when a tooth genuinely can't be saved. I place MegaGen AnyRidge implants with the MegaGen R2 guided surgery system: each is planned on your CT scan and placed through a 3D-printed guide. Some cases need a bone graft first, from £598. I've placed over 2,000 implants over more than ten years, with a success rate above 99% (from our practice records), but every case is different and results vary.
Replacement crowns can also correct shade, shape and size so they look more natural. Because each replacement can cost a little more tooth, I'd only replace crowns for a real problem, not a small cosmetic niggle, and your plan is priced per tooth so you can prioritise.
Treatment Abroad or at Home: An Honest Comparison
The main reason people travel is price, and the lower upfront fee is real. The question is what that fee includes, and what happens if something needs attention later.
| Feature | Treatment abroad | Treatment at home |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront fee | Often lower | Usually higher |
| Travel and time off | Flights, hotels and time off for each trip | Appointments only |
| Pace | Often compressed into one or two trips | Can be staged, with time to heal and review |
| Aftercare | Usually means travelling back, or paying a dentist here | The same team that did the work |
| Guarantees | May depend on returning to the clinic | Written terms from a practice you can visit |
| Regulation and complaints | Local rules, which can be hard to use from the UK | Dentists registered with the General Dental Council, with a clear complaints route |
Neither column guarantees a good result, and a careful dentist abroad can do better work than a rushed one at home. But aftercare is where the true cost tends to show, so price in a possible return trip, or repair work here, when comparing quotes.
Still Planning to Go Abroad? Questions to Ask First
It's your decision, and going well prepared reduces the risks. Ask:
- Who will treat me, what are their qualifications, and how can I check their registration?
- For each tooth: crown or veneer, and how much tooth will be removed? Is any healthy tooth being crowned?
- Will you take X-rays or a 3D scan first, and can I have copies?
- How long between visits? Implants usually need time to heal, often a few months, before the final teeth are fitted.
- What does the guarantee cover, what cancels it, and do I have to return to use it?
- Which implant system will you use, and can I have it in writing for a dentist at home?
- Who will look after me at home if something goes wrong?
Also ask whether you need crowns at all: whitening, composite bonding, minimal-preparation veneers or Invisalign can often achieve a lot. And have a dental examination at home first, ideally with a practice near you such as ours in Comely Bank, so any decay or gum disease is treated before you travel.
Questions
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to say what is right for your teeth.