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Why are dental veneers cheaper in Turkey?

Veneers are thin shells custom-made to cover up discoloured, uneven, chipped, broken, and crooked teeth. When performed by qualified professionals, this dental procedure can provide you with a beautiful new smile that lasts a long time.

Many people in the UK have started to consider getting dental implants and veneers in Turkey due to the lower costs. In particular, Istanbul and Antalya are two cities that attract the most tourists for cosmetic dentistry procedures.

However, getting dental veneers in Turkey comes with many risks. Many stories have emerged about clients unknowingly receiving crowns instead of veneers due to the language barrier. Crowns are a more aggressive treatment where the nerves and excessive enamel can be taken out of your teeth, causing long-term damage.

Thousands of people have also had to receive follow-up repair work after a botched veneer procedure in a dental clinic in Turkey. This is why it’s important to do your research and also consider local options in the UK.

Different types of veneers

Dental veneers are thin composite resin or porcelain coverings designed to correct teeth imperfections like stained or chipped teeth. A full set of veneers are shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth, which help alter the length, size, shape, and colour to achieve the perfect smile.

Many Hollywood stars undergo dental procedures like veneers as part of their dental treatment plan to improve their smile on camera and fix teeth that are discoloured, worn down, broken, chipped, uneven, gaps, misaligned, or irregularly shaped.

There are a few types of dental veneers to consider, such as porcelain veneers, laminate veneers, and composite veneers. The materials used will determine its longevity, appearance and the procedure required.

close up of veneers gone wrong

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are the most common type of dental veneers. They provide the most natural-looking results and are the most durable, lasting about 25 years. Furthermore, they are made from a thin ceramic shell and require only a small amount of reduction of the outer surface of the tooth.

When fitting veneers, a layer of the enamel and dentin is usually trimmed to ensure more precise fitting. These veneers will require multiple visits to the dentist because it is more difficult to apply than composite veneers.

However, it lasts for a long time and gives your teeth a glossy and smooth appearance for a natural look.

The procedure for porcelain veneers typically requires three trips to your dentist, one for an initial consultation and two for making and applying the veneers.

On your first appointment, your dentist will evaluate whether dental veneers are right for you and discuss the procedure with you. It usually involves taking X-rays and making impressions of your teeth and mouth. The shade of the porcelain will be based on the colour of your surrounding teeth.

The next step is the preparation process. Your dentist will reshape your tooth surface by trimming a small amount of enamel equal to the thickness of the veneer added to the tooth surface. This tooth trimming is performed so that the veneers can fit correctly.

The dentist will create a model and send it to the dental lab for your veneers to be made which can take between 2 to 4 weeks. In the meantime, temporary veneers may be used.

Once the new veneers are ready, your dentist will prepare your teeth by cleaning, etching and polishing your teeth. The etching process roughens the tooth so that the bonding process occurs. Next, your dentist will apply a special cement to the veneer and place it onto the tooth.

Finally, they’ll shine a light beam to activate the chemicals and cause them to harden quickly. Some minor clean-ups and adjustments may be made afterwards.

E Max Veneers

Emax veneers are made of pressed ceramic which are resistant to fractures, making them incredibly durable. Typically, they last about 15 years before they need replacement.

Many dentists favour the Emax veneers because they are thin and require very minimal tooth shavings. This means that the teeth do not have to be drilled into thin peg shapes and you can preserve more of your natural teeth. In some cases, no preparation of the tooth enamel is needed.

Less preparation means that the veneer will have a stronger bond to the tooth, preventing them from falling off. That’s because veneer bonding to your teeth’s enamel is much stronger compared to the bonding to the underlying dentine.

Since high-quality Emax veneers have high translucency and light transmission, it looks the most natural compared to other materials like composite resin.

Zirconium Veneers

Zirconium veneers are made of a ceramic material called zirconium dioxide. These veneers are the most popular option because they provide a natural look and are highly durable. That is because zirconia is resistant to chipping, fracture or abrasion.

What differentiates zirconium veneers from Emax veneers is its ability to hide any darker shades on a tooth. For example, if a patient receives root canal treatment, there may be stains that result from the treatment.

Zirconium doesn’t allow light to enter and so it can cover up dark spots. 
Furthermore, since zirconium is extremely tough, it’s possible to make them into very thin shapes. No tooth trimming is normally required. These veneers typically last between 5 to 10 years. 

However, if they are well-maintained and accurately fitted, they can potentially last between 25 to 30 years.

dental veneers process close up illustration of how veneers work

Laminate Veneers

Laminate veneers are a type of porcelain veneers. However, when a patient opts for laminate veneers, the structure and the enamel of the teeth does not have to be altered. These laminates have a similar thickness to a contact lens, meaning they are a much thinner alternative to porcelain veneers.

They are made from thin layers of porcelain to create a shell. Therefore, they share the same type of durability as porcelain veneers. However, the potential downside of using laminate veneers is that they can feel bulky on the teeth since they are being installed without shaving the teeth.

The procedure of obtaining laminate veneers requires a few steps. Like other veneers, it requires a preparation and planning process. The dentist will need to measure the thickness of the laminates that will best fit your teeth.

Since laminate veneers are made of composite material, dentists can immediately create a model based on your teeth and jaws to ensure that the mould fits and your bite remains the same. The models are sent to the lab so the laminates can be moulded.

Finally, the dentist will attach the laminates onto the teeth through a bonding process. The dentist will use special lights that activate the bonding so that they stick onto your teeth.

Since laminate veneers are considered to be advanced porcelain veneers, they can be more expensive than porcelain veneers.

Composite Veneers

Compared to porcelain veneers, composite veneers are much more affordable. Composite veneers are typically made from an acrylic resin that bonds onto the front surface of your tooth.

There are two types of composite veneers: direct and indirect. Direct composite veneers are applied directly onto your teeth. In comparison, indirect composite veneers are custom-made in a dental lab. In the meantime, you’ll receive temporary teeth until the indirect veneers are made. Indirect veneers tend to resist fractures and abrasions better than direct veneers.

The veneers procedure begins with the dentist cleaning your teeth and preparing them for application. Your dentist will likely remove a thin layer of your tooth enamel to ensure the material will stick to your teeth. The process will differ depending on whether you choose to receive direct veneers or indirect veneers.

For direct veneers, the dentist will apply adhesive glue to your teeth so that the composite resin material can stick onto your teeth. The veneers are then added to the front surface of your teeth.

If you opt for indirect veneers, your dentist will take a mould of your teeth and fabricate the veneers in a dental office or lab. Once the veneers are ready, he or she will etch your teeth, apply the adhesive material, which acts as a bonding agent to keep the material in place. Finally, the dentist applies the composite veneers onto your teeth and polish everything up.

However, this type of veneers treatment does not have a natural look compared to emax veneers or zirconium veneers. Composite veneers typically provide a plastic appearance even though they only take one appointment to finish. They also only last between 5 to 7 years and you would need to get a replacement set later on.

Composite veneers are a common cosmetic solution for those with root canals. Once the fillings and root canal treatments are completed, composite veneers can be moulded to fit the damaged teeth

Since root canal treatments are dark, using a completely white shade of composite veneers can completely hide the stains.

Veneers prices in Turkey

Now that you know the type of temporary veneers available, how much do veneers cost in Turkey? The cost will vary based on the number of teeth and the current condition of your teeth.

Turkey offers a lower cost of veneers and a veneers package for a full set of 20 teeth comes out to about 50% to 70% cheaper compared to the UK. However, you will need to consider travel and accommodation costs associated with travelling to Turkey as well. In all, the price of veneers range between £3,000 and £6,000.

While you can get a smile makeover in Turkey for highly affordable prices, it’s important to ensure that you don’t pay for low-quality veneers or sacrifice your dental health in the process. Not every Turkish dental clinic provides the same quality of standards because the cost to train Turkish dentists and the operational overhead costs are much lower.

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated package cost for a full set of 20 teeth in Turkey:

  • Teeth whitening -£250
  • Porcelain dental crown – £2,600
  • Zirconium veneers – £2,980
  • Emax veneers – £4,200
  • Emax laminate veneers – £4,800
  • Porcelain laminate veneers – £4,500


A Beautiful Smile Without the Risk

Be aware of the risks of going to a cosmetic dentist abroad. Some less skilled or less reputable dentists may perform another dental treatment instead of the one promised, such as giving you crowns and simply calling them veneers.

The problem is that crowns require more aggressive tooth preparation which causes more stress onto the tooth and makes it vulnerable to other dental problems. The loss of tooth enamel can cause your teeth to be more susceptible to decay, sensitivity, and disease.

The best option is to receive veneer treatment locally in a cosmetic dentistry clinic located in the United Kingdom. This prevents any potential miscommunication due to language barriers in Turkey while ensuring you get the high-quality treatment you paid for.

At Bespoke Smile, our dental centre uses super-thin veneers that are minimally invasive and preserve your natural teeth. We’re here for you every step of the way from the initial appointment to the procedure and aftercare. 

Our veneers are customised in terms of its texture, shape and colour to help you achieve the perfect smile and boost your confidence. We also offer a variety of treatments whether you are looking for root canal treatments or a cosmetic upgrade to your smile.

Book a free consultation today to see if dental veneers are right for you.

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