If you are reading this article, it likely means you are considering traveling to Turkey for dental treatment. My goal is to help you make an informed decision—not to convince you one way or another. In some cases, getting treatment in your home country may actually be the better choice.
Turkey offers a wide range of dental treatments, including implants, various types of crowns, veneers, periodontal treatments, and complex surgeries. However, the most common reason patients travel to Turkey is for Smile Design, which can involve a combination of implants, crowns, sinus lifts, bone grafting, and more, depending on each patient’s needs.
Now, let’s address some of the most frequently asked questions about dental treatments in Turkey.
If dental treatments in Turkey are much cheaper, does that mean the quality is lower?
Not necessarily. The affordability of dental care in Turkey is due to several factors:
- Lower Cost of Living and Labor: The cost of living in Turkey is significantly lower than in countries like the U.S., which translates to lower wages for dental professionals and clinic staff.
- Lower Operational Costs: Expenses such as rent, utilities, and equipment are also more affordable.
- Currency Exchange Rates: The Turkish lira is weaker compared to currencies like the U.S. dollar, making treatments cheaper for international patients.
- No Insurance Middlemen: Unlike the U.S., where insurance companies can drive up costs, many Turkish clinics operate on an out-of-pocket payment model, keeping prices straightforward and free from additional administrative markups.
How can I find a trustworthy clinic?
This is a tough question because, as someone living abroad, it is difficult to determine whether a clinic is truly reputable. Many people rely on online reviews, but this can be misleading. Why? Because many clinics actively encourage happy patients to leave reviews while avoiding feedback from dissatisfied patients. As a result, a clinic may appear to have an excellent reputation when, in reality, it might not.
As a general rule of thumb, a good clinic is one that serves both local and international patients. Many of the clinics you see advertised online focus exclusively on international clients because they are more profitable and less likely to take legal action in case of malpractice. Keep this in mind when making your decision.
One crucial piece of advice: Do not base your decision on price alone! Just like in any industry, the same service can be offered at different price points, but there’s a reason for this. For example, Straumann implants are among the best in the industry, yet some clinics offer them for €600 while others charge €1,200. The implant itself is the same, but the difference often lies in the experience of the dentist performing the procedure.
How likely am I to get scammed?
As someone living in Istanbul, my honest answer is: it’s possible, but not inevitable. Some clinics may change their prices once you arrive in person, but not all operate this way.
One reason price estimates may change is that a proper diagnosis often requires a 2D CBCT scan. While most dentists can accurately predict what you need based on this scan, there are rare cases where bone density issues can only be detected during surgery. This means a treatment plan may change slightly after your in-person consultation.
However, not everyone wants to scam and not no one wants to scam!
How likely am I to get scammed?
As someone living in Istanbul, my honest answer is: it’s possible, but not inevitable. Some clinics may change their prices once you arrive in person, but not all operate this way.
One reason price estimates may change is that a proper diagnosis often requires a 2D CBCT scan. While most dentists can accurately predict what you need based on this scan, there are rare cases where bone density issues can only be detected during surgery. This means a treatment plan may change slightly after your in-person consultation.
However, not everyone wants to scam and not no one wants to scam!
This is a tough question because, as someone living abroad, it is difficult to determine whether a clinic is truly reputable. Many people rely on online reviews, but this can be misleading. Why? Because many clinics actively encourage happy patients to leave reviews while avoiding feedback from dissatisfied patients. As a result, a clinic may appear to have an excellent reputation when, in reality, it might not.
As a general rule of thumb, a good clinic is one that serves both local and international patients. Many of the clinics you see advertised online focus exclusively on international clients because they are more profitable and less likely to take legal action in case of malpractice. Keep this in mind when making your decision.
One crucial piece of advice: Do not base your decision on price alone! Just like in any industry, the same service can be offered at different price points, but there’s a reason for this. For example, Straumann implants are among the best in the industry, yet some clinics offer them for €600 while others charge €1,200. The implant itself is the same, but the difference often lies in the experience of the dentist performing the procedure.
How can I find a trustworthy clinic?