A growing number of Brits are jetting off to far-flung destinations. But instead of going to top up their tans or immerse themselves in another culture, they’re travelling to improve the appearance of their smiles.

Dental tourism is rising, and patients are forgoing their trusted local dental practices to get low-cost smiles in the sun. Popular treatments include dental veneers and implants.

Should you go abroad for your dental veneers? And what are the associated costs and risks of overseas dental treatment?

Today, we’re looking at the trend of dental tourism and discussing why the actual cost may be higher than you think.

Why Has Traveling for Dental Treatments Become So Popular?

Low-cost airlines are ten a penny these days, and competition is driving down flight prices.

Couple this with the increasing demand for cosmetic dentistry fueled by better health awareness and growing social media coverage, and the fact that overseas dentists enjoy much lower overheads and can undercut UK prices —suddenly, you have a booming dental tourism industry.

Added to this, it’s never been easier for foreign businesses to market their services to UK audiences. Social media advertising lets Turkish, Romanian, and other overseas dentists target UK patients who are already expressing an interest in these treatments.

What are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that coat the front and sides of your teeth. They’re used to give your smile an even and natural appearance and hide any imperfections. Porcelain veneers have become very popular in recent years.

What are the Risks of Dental Tourism?

Paying less for your dental treatment and having a cheap holiday at the same time might seem like a good plan, but there may be a downside. Often, patients travelling for dental treatments pay more than they expect when things go wrong. Here are some of the problems patients face.

Lack of Insurance and Protection

UK dentists are held to the highest standards by the GDC, the industry regulator. On the very rare occasion that anything goes wrong in the UK, practices are insured, and the GDC will investigate and take action. You will have support.

Overseas dentists may not be regulated in the same way. They might have different levels of insurance. UK laws do not apply. So, when things go wrong, you may not have the same legal rights.

The Language Barriers

While you may have visited the country you’re planning to get treatment in previously, there’s a difference between ordering a drink and receiving life-changing dental treatments. How well do you understand the local language? And, will your dentist speak fluent English?

Communication is essential during your consultation, treatment, and after. Your dentist needs to understand your needs at all times. The whole experience could become very stressful if you and your dentist don’t understand each other.

The Techniques Used are Often Different

UK dentists are seeing some worrying trends in overseas dentistry. As previously mentioned, veneers are fine porcelain coatings. Before placing them, we remove a very small amount of enamel so your teeth look naturally balanced. The amount removed is usually around half a millimetre.

Patients of overseas veneer treatments frequently have healthy teeth shaved down into small points. Then, instead of having veneers, they’re placing prosthetics that are more like dental crowns. Dental crowns are usually reserved for damaged teeth or patients with implants.

Removing so much of a healthy tooth in this way cannot be undone. It will also dramatically increase the risk of infection.

You May Face Complications

After returning from your overseas treatment, you may face complications. The techniques used or poor clinical standards could increase the risk of infection, abscesses, or your veneers coming loose.

When issues occur, you can’t easily return to your overseas dentist for follow-up treatments. Often, this means you’ll need to go to a local dentist or visit the hospital.

Although we can do some things to help, some of the damage might be irreversible, and you may face a lifetime of dental difficulties.

Porcelain Veneers in Beaconsfield

If you’re considering taking a cheap flight to get a cheap dental treatment, speak to us first. Taking chances with your smile could cost you more in the long run.

Call us today to book your appointment.