LANCASTER: How much are you willing to pay for a smile like a movie star? For some people, trying to achieve sparkling white, uniformly straight teeth without a Hollywood budget can be costly to their health as well as their wallet.

The “turkey teeth” trend – named after the influencers’ fondness for travelling abroad on a shoestring budget – is taking off on social media in the UK. VENEERS – Can provide a cheaper alternative to a more expensive one cosmetic dentistry At reputable clinics – but it can come at a cost oral health And it could even prove to be life threatening.

But the health risks don’t always outweigh the potential for a dazzling smile.

Naturally, teeth should be white in colour, as the yellowish dentin (the middle layer of the tooth – between the enamel and pulp – which makes up the majority of the tooth structure) is visible through the thin, hard, white enamel outer layer of the tooth.

But the natural colour of healthy teeth is not the trend these days, and there is a huge demand for sparkling white veneers.

Although many people are happy with their new teeth, there are just as many horror stories.

From “constant pain” to “gum decay,” fixing problems caused by cheap cosmetic dentistry can cost far more than getting the procedure done properly in the first place.

Ramazan Yilmaz found this out when his dental implant went horribly wrong at a private clinic in Bursa, Turkey.

During the surgery, the dentist allegedly “forced” the implant through Ramzan’s jawbone into the area behind the eye, where brain and spinal fluid are located. According to the report, the dentist took him to the emergency department of a local hospital and fled.

But the experience doesn’t have to be extreme, like Ramadan, to cause serious problems. Even the best cosmetic dentistry can cause oral health problems if done insincerely oral HYGIENE is not maintained.

For example, incorrectly fitted veneers allow plaque, food and drinks to enter the space between the veneer and the tooth, which can lead to bad odour, stains, tooth decay and gum disease.

Gum disease is also linked to liver disease, chronic kidney disease, oral cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

risky business

There are a number of options for achieving the turkey teeth look made popular in the UK by reality shows such as Towie and Love Island, ranging from veneers to more invasive procedures such as crowns or implants which are screwed into your jawbone.

Veneers are thin coverings that are applied to the surface of existing teeth to hide imperfections. They are the least invasive of cosmetic dental procedures But enamel usually needs to be removed. Improper preparation of the tooth for this procedure makes the tooth more susceptible to decay.

There are several types of veneers, including porcelain, composite and no prep. No prep veneers preserve tooth structure and remove minimal enamel, but they tend to last only five to seven years. With proper care, well-fitted porcelain and composite veneers can last up to 20 years.

Dental crowns are permanent tooth-shaped caps that cover broken, worn or damaged teeth. Crowns are fitted over existing teeth, which are filed into a pointed peg shape.

Filing teeth removes the protective material that supports soft living tissues and opens these areas to germs, which can cause local or systemic infection, potentially resulting in death.

Similar risks exist for dental implants; although these can take longer to fuse into your existing bone and so any potential problems could be months away from arising.

dental implants These are meant to provide permanent replacements for missing teeth or to support dentures. Implants are screw-like metal fixtures that are surgically bonded to the jawbone beneath the gums.

Implants are expensive and a challenging procedure – they are at risk of being damaged or broken if they are placed without proper attention to biting forces and the way the mouth functions when eating.

Shifting teeth can cause significant changes in the transmission of biting force to the jaw bones and the rest of the face.

Bone remodeling takes time and, because many people have all their teeth replaced at once, implants can cause massive changes to the microscopic structure of the bone in the mouth, resulting in pain and discomfort in the gums, jaw joints and facial muscles that can last for months. Bone loss in the mouth can be as much as 22 per cent three years after dental implants are placed.

The house is empty… or not

Cosmetic dental procedures can be risky — but so can getting back home.

Patients who have had restorative treatments such as veneers should avoid flying for at least 24 hours following the procedure.

People who have had a transplant or removal — without any complications — should wait at least 72 hours before boarding a plane to return home to limit the risk of swelling during the flight.

There is a serious complicating factor for anyone who experiences dental problems on returning to the UK: who will fix any problems and to what extent? The lack of NHS dental provision in the UK means that dentists are unable to help patients who have had faulty work done abroad.

The General Dental Council, the UK’s regulatory body for dental professionals, has produced a useful “things to know guide” for anyone considering having dental treatment abroad.

Don’t forget that cosmetic dentistry abroad may seem like a bargain, but it could prove to be a very expensive – and painful – mistake. (The Conversation) GRS GRS