Cosmetic dentistry

[Member869894]

Hi . I have decided I would like to improve the look of my yellow crooked teeth. I would go abroad if necessary but want to do my research first . Can anyone suggest where.i start and what qualifications, professional standards I should be looking please?

Dentist here. Please reconsider going abroad. They don't have the same regulations as they do in the UK and the standards vary.

I am seeing it more and more in practice. Patients turning up to my surgery on a weekly basis having just return from Turkey or somewhere. Swollen faces, lifted sinuses causing severe pain, infections, distorted mouths, teeth cut down to nothing, pain so bad that they can't swallow, sub- standard materials that quite really won't last the year.

Dentists in Uk won't touch this with a barge pole when a patient turns up ( inevitably) presenting with issues from the work they've had done abroad. Implant specialists in UK won't get involved either to try and sort out botched jobs. We aren't insured for other people's work.

I've had patients turn up with a pile of drugs and unaware of what exactly they are taking as the instructions are in another language.

I've seen people forced to go back to the country they had the work done in early, at an extra cost, just to get remedial work done. It can end up more costly than if they had gone to a UK specialist.

A Uk specialist will be GDC registered, have appropriate training, appropriate indemnity, sterilised instruments, good quality, regulated materials, and a process/policy for dealing with problems.

Of course there are success stories, but it's such a massive risk. You are messing with a part of your body. Some of these clinics have offices in the Uk and they have a good sales pitch. As a practice owner in the Uk, and knowing the price of decent materials, the only way I can think that they have made any profit ( abroad) is if they use sub standard implants.

I've also seen folk with reasonably healthy teeth getting them either cut down to nothing to get a crown placed over the top. This is usually without elective root treatment first, and the tooth eventually flares up with severe pulpitis or gets infected. I've seen patients get healthy teeth extracted. It's absolutely appalling. There's a recent BBC documentary on dental tourism. I'll try snd find the link.

Anyway in short. See your own dentist and talk through options with them

Someone will come on this chat soon and argue my points. Fair enough. Each to their own. But I'm 25 years of general dental practice, this current trend is one if the most concerning I've ever come across

Hartytpe thank you for taking the time to write your message. I think think Ill stick to the UK! Don't suppose you're in Devon? 😀
Are there any things I should be looking out for when choosing a dentist here in the UK?

Definitely don't go abroad.
I have a colleague who did just that and she spends most of her days in pain.

She also looks ridiculous (and says it herself)
They're like the old fashioned false teeth but so white.

Are you already registered somewhere? If so, that would be my starting point. Make an appointment with your own dentist, or get a recommendation from someone local. ( I'm in Scotland I'm afraid).
They should be able to guide you through the process depending on what is needed. It might be something fixable relatively easily such as tooth whitening and simple orthodontics.
If they can't do it, they will refer you to the right people. Check qualifications, experience, ask how long have you been doing this particular type of treatment, ask what their success rate is, snd try and talk to others who have had the treatment themselves.

I also have another colleague who had composite overlays on her crooked teeth (only slightly crooked) and over the other ones. I think she said 8 of them maybe.

And they look so good that I want them myself.

Sorry I meant composite bonding.

A Facebook friend went to Turkey in September and came back looking like Dick Emery’s vicar.

Ask your own dentist if they do any private cosmetic work as a starting point.

Just to say thank you @hartytype for taking the time to post such a comprehensive reply.

OP, I'm sure your teeth are not as bad as you think they are, get some good advice from a professional you can trust.

I have had dental work done in Colombia....fully trained and excellent work at a fraction of uk cost....12 years later no issues....also spain and turkey....choose your dentist and check reviews....the materials cost a lot lower abroad so you can still have good quality work. i refuse to pay the silly uk prices, its bonkers, nothing wrong with going abroad....i paid £40 for crowns in colombia and uk price was 600 each....i had composite bonding done in turkey at £45 a tooth, uk price was over £200 a tooth....i will return next year for an implant as go anyway for a holiday each year...my dentist over there has patients from sweden and finland, they fly over just to see her, she doesnt have a flash clinic etc and wont even do bleaching as thinks its a bad move.

To add, most of my work was needed due to previous uk nhs dentist filling away teeth that didnt need doing...!!

Whether you've had a good outcome or not previously, you are very much risking your dental health by getting work done abroad ( where you really have no idea of what materials are being used/what regulations are in place/unaware if instruments are sterilised to same high standard as Uk etc etc)

I would compare it to buying a Covid vaccine from an online website. You might get lucky, but it's a shot in the dark and you could be harming your body by placing something unknown into it.

Hartytype how can I be sure I don't go to a dodgy dentist here? What should i be looking for? I don't trust reviews

Hi, just my two cents. I’m a dentist who largely practices cosmetic dentistry. Totally agree with @hartytype ; over the past year, more and more people have been coming in with issues with cosmetic work done abroad. And most the time, I won’t/ can’t do anything about it because it is just too risky to remove crowns (which pts are sold as veneers) , strip composite bonding etc and my indemnity probably won’t cover it. I’m my opinion, going to some consults and getting a feel for the staff there and the general vibe is useful because trust and communication is vital. Be weary of people who recommend a lot of invasive treatment without providing good reasons (that you understand) why it is necessary. Lots of invasive tx is of course sometimes necessary but all dental work requires maintenance and the more complex work you have done the more maintenance will be required, lifelong maintenance. Something less invasive, like straightening and whitening/bonding, may not give you the ‘perfect’ natural smile that crowns/ veneers may; however a simpler approach will be far easier to maintain, will be less expensive and gives you options in the future when more work is required. Of course I’ve never met you and each case is different but these are the general trends I see working in the field, they may or may not be applicable to you

I had some bonding done in UK on front two teeth. Wasn't too expensive and I am amazed at the impact. It was a young dentist but I think he was a perfectionist and seemed to be putting a lot of effort in. Definitely something to explore as a less intrusive option?

All I can say is DO NOT go to Dental Experts on Harley Street. Thousands of people are chasing them for money for bad work. Don't go there ever.

I had crowns and veneers fitted around 5 years ago. Agree with the dentists on this thread to stay in the uk. I know it sounds obvious, but a good track record is what you're looking for. Ask your dentist for patient references so you can see their previous work and enquire where he/she gets their pieces made. My dentist, for instance, had used the same teeth specialist (to make the crowns and veneers) for over 15 years.

Hartytype - do you know anything about lumineers? If my teeth aren't suitable for composite bonding would lumineers be an alternative or is it just the same thing with a different name? I emailed some dentists but didn't hear back. My teeth are very yellow and professional whitening has done nothing much.

Same question to suggestedname and any other dentists on the thread!

Sorry to hijack, just never seem to get dentists replying when I post my own threads so wanted them to see this!

I’m about to start Invisalign in the uk. I choose my dentist as they are a local, mainly cosmetic dentists. All the staff have their pictures on their website with their qualifications and which university or institution they completed their study. Also their years of experience and specialisms. They’ve been there for about ten years and have an Instagram with before and after stories with real people tagged in.

I paid a refundable £60 consultation before the first appointment which is knocked off the treatment but if I’d decided not to proceed they would have refunded it.

I'm not after Turkey or Towie teeth, just a straighter, whiter smile. I want people to say “she has nice teeth” not “she’s had dental work”.

I also know people that went to Turkey for makeovers. One was happy as he had a number of gaps and very ugly corroded teeth, but his wife less so, as she says her bite is no longer the same and replacing healthy teeth with crowns was not what she expected or signed up to.

I'm getting invisalign early Jan, followed by whitening, a new bridge and likely some bonding. Its expensive all in but the dentist I'm using is very good , experienced and has good reviews. Don't go abroad because you think it's cheaper. I'd personally stay away from the online places too. Straightening your teeth is a serious commitment and you want someone who knows what to do and who you can visit for regular check ups.

Hartytype how can I be sure I don't go to a dodgy dentist here? What should i be looking for? I don't trust reviews

All dentists here should be GDC registered. This means that they are fully qualified to a high standard, and that they carry out continued professional development ( CPD) on a regular basis. You can check their qualifications on the GDC website under "find a dentist" . This will also highlight any red flags regarding any previous sanctions that have been put on them.

Honestly the best way to suss out if a dentist is good and trustworthy is word of mouth. Ask around. Enquire on local social media pages and ask friends.
don't rush into anything straight away. Book in for a regular checkup/hygienist appointment first. Get to know them. You'll pick up signs early whether someone is doing a hard sell or not. Make sure you both are communicating well and on the same page. Ensure you get written estimates from them snd that everything is detailed out clearly and all pros and cons discussed.

By all means read testimonies and look at photos of previous work. But don't be too focussed on Instagram shots. Not all dentists like and use Instagram. The vast majority, especially the older and more experienced tend to shy away from social media, and don't need or want to sell their work this way. Plus, as you are well aware, good camera angles and filters can hide a multitude.

do you know anything about lumineers?

Not really. They are just another type of thin veneer, a brand made by a particular lab. I think more popular in US. But other dentists on the thread may know more.

I am a couple of months in with my invisilign.

I have wanted to do it for years but when I saw a friend's before and after on facebook I called that day to start.
She said she was just sick of seeing her teeth on zoom calls in lockdown and did something about it.

I am doing top only and really rate the whole process. My teeth really bothered me-all I saw in pictures etc. Overcrowded and wonky and can already see improvement.

They do a whitening course at the end.
I was also not going for perfection-don't want veneers and also didn't want to spend a fortune.
I just wanted them to be straighter/no overlap and a natural looking smile I'm happy to be in pictures with-not self conscious and anxious and comparing myself.

I am very happy with them so far and very impressed with my friends result!

*should have said I am in the UK