Questions to Ask a Dentist in Turkey
Any clinic will tell you it does good work. What separates a straightforward experience from a difficult one is whether the clinic answers specific questions in writing before you pay a deposit — about brands, materials, what the price includes, how many visits the plan assumes and what happens if something needs attention once you are back in the UK.
Here are the eight questions worth asking, and what a useful answer sounds like. Take them with you whether you are speaking to us or to any other provider.
The eight questions worth asking
Which implant or crown brands do you use, and can I see them?
Ask for the brand and, where relevant, the country of manufacture — Neodent, Straumann, Nobel Biocare and Osstem are all common in Turkey. A clinic that is comfortable showing you the packaging and lot number on the day is a clinic working with genuine components.
What exactly does the price include?
Get it in writing: scans, extra extractions, bone grafting or sinus lifts, temporary teeth, medication, transfers and any revision work. A very low headline price often stops before the stages your case will actually need.
Who will carry out the treatment?
Ask who places the implants, who prepares the teeth and who fits the final restoration, and how long that clinician has been doing it. In a coordinated clinic the same dentist usually handles the case from planning through to fitting.
How many visits will it take, and how long do I stay?
A single implant is normally two trips three to six months apart; crowns and veneers are often finished in one visit of five to seven days; full-arch implant treatment follows the same two-visit pattern. Confirm the dates your plan assumes.
What happens if something goes wrong once I am home?
Ask how long the restoration is guaranteed, who your UK contact is, and what happens if a crown chips or an implant feels wrong after you fly back. You want an answer in writing, plus a named person to speak to.
Where are my crowns or veneers made?
Ask whether the clinic has its own laboratory or posts work out, which material is used, and how long the fitting appointment takes. On-site laboratories can remake a piece in days rather than weeks.
Can I see similar cases and speak to a previous patient?
Before-and-after photographs of cases like yours are reasonable to request, and so is a conversation with a past patient. Ask what the clinic would recommend if your case turned out to be unsuitable.
What am I asked to pay before treatment starts?
Understand the deposit, what it covers and whether it is refundable, and make sure the balance is settled at the clinic rather than by bank transfer to an individual. Fees should be confirmed in writing first.
What to do with the answers
Ask the same questions of two or three clinics and compare the written answers side by side. Consistency, specificity and willingness to put things in writing tell you far more than the photographs on a website. No clinic can promise a medical outcome, so be wary of anyone who does — what a good clinic promises is a plan, a price and the support to deal with anything that needs adjusting afterwards.
SmileOver coordinates treatment in Marmaris and answers every question on this page in writing before you book, starting with a free consultation and a written plan and price. If you would rather compare first, our Turkey teeth prices and patient information pages explain what each treatment includes.
Asking about treatment in Turkey
Is it safe to have dental treatment in Turkey?
Turkish dental clinics treat a large number of international patients and many use the same implant systems and materials as UK practices. Safety comes down to the individual clinic: qualifications, materials, laboratory standards, hygiene and aftercare. Ask the questions above and be cautious of any provider that avoids written answers.
How much can I save compared with UK private dentistry?
Patients commonly save a substantial part of the UK private fee, because overheads in Turkey are lower. The exact figure depends on the treatment, the materials and the number of visits, so ask for a written plan and compare it directly with your UK quote rather than comparing headline prices.
What should I do if a clinic cannot answer these questions?
Treat it as useful information. A clinic that will not put the plan, the price and the guarantee in writing is one to walk away from, however attractive the package looks.