My teeth are left as small stumps and I am in constant pain after dental treatment in Turkey ruined my smile
A mother has revealed she is in constant pain after dental treatment in Turkey left her with tiny teeth.
Zeba Ali, 34, a teacher from London, is in “absolute agony” after flying more than 2,000 miles around the world for the private procedure.
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Zeba remembers not being concerned about her teeth, except for one tooth on her base, which was slightly misaligned.
Due to the expensive dental costs in the UK, she decided to consult a dentist in Istanbul, Turkey, who she says sold her a dream holiday in addition to five-star dental treatment.
After a five-minute video consultation, Zeba was advised to have veneers fitted and because the dentist was top class, she trusted their decision and booked herself in for the procedure.
But her dreams of a perfect 'Hollywood' smile were quickly dashed.
The mother was left with a whole host of problems, from constant sensitivity to excruciating pain, with her unable to eat or drink properly – because her teeth had been “accidentally” shaved into pins.
Zeba said: “I asked to look in the mirror because I didn't know what they were doing, because I didn't feel anything and I ran out crying.
“I felt my heart sink and was completely speechless – but it was too late.
“I was in shock because I thought they would put 'prepless' veneers and not touch my natural teeth.”
Zeba said she initially spoke to the dentist via WhatsApp, where they asked her to open my mouth so they could take a look.
She continued: “Because she was a five-star dentist, I put my trust in her and didn't care about the money.
“I was hoping to finally get my teeth straight and get a luxury hotel with a spa.
“However, the experience was completely different from how they portrayed it and it was terrible from the start.”
In March 2022, she went to the clinic and paid £2,000 for whitening, a hygienist and the main procedure.
Upon arrival, she expected a personal consultation, but instead she underwent immediate surgery.
She said: “I thought maybe I didn't need to know anything else and I didn't say anything because I put my complete trust in them.
“I didn't think prepless veneers involved shaving off natural teeth, especially since mine were healthy.
“I told them I had not been told this would happen and that the procedure would be reversible – but they only apologized for the mistake.”
“I was devastated, so I immediately got up and left after the veneers, which were actually crowns, were placed.”
Zeba claims they failed to tell her vital information and failed to mention that her teeth would be permanently destroyed.
Although she still has natural teeth on her top set, she has also shaved off two of them for 'aesthetic' reasons.
And she is also unhappy with her undercarriage, after being told her teeth would have a clean, 'veneer' look – only to make them look thicker than before.
Zeba said: “Here they didn't want to touch my teeth because they were completely healthy and there was no need.
“They would have rejected me and given proper orthodontic treatment or composite bonding instead.
“After the anesthetic wore off, I felt the intense pain and since then I have had a constant problem with one of my teeth, which often feels like a 'pins and needles' sensation.”
The experience was completely different from how they portrayed it and it was terrible from the start.”
Zeba Ali, 34
And Zeba says she had to go back after complaints, which led to the dentists giving her a root canal to remove the nerves in that tooth.
However, the single mother now claims that “the pain has worsened” and is considering having the tooth completely extracted or having a dental implant fitted.
Zeba added: “I am a single mother and it affects my parenting because I am often short and short-sighted with my child.
“It has left me with a serious complex and it has put a lot of pressure on my mental health.
“Financially it is a huge burden because I can't always take time off to go back there and I will have to have expensive maintenance treatment for the rest of my life.”
Zeba claims she was told the sensitivity would go away after six months, but five months later there is still no sign of it.
Because of the pain, she decided to visit her regular dentist in Britain, who told her that the crowns would need to be replaced every five to 10 years.
Now she has advised others interested in dental work in Turkey to do thorough research beforehand.
Zeba added: “Always speak to a UK dentist first to see what they have to offer as they will not touch you and cause irreparable damage.
“I have since been told that I could have had braces or Invisalign, which would have solved the problem and prevented my healthy teeth from being cut into stumps.
“I have only received compensation for the kroner, which does not even cover all the hotels, flights and transfers that I have had to pay for.
“Turkish dentists are only interested in giving you the look you want, even if there is no return or aftercare.
“I am absolutely devastated and wish I had been advised by these money-grubbing dentists not to cut my natural teeth. I would give anything to get my healthy teeth back.”