Istanbul, Turkey: Seeking a Beautiful Smile (10 Upper Veneers, Gum Laser, Tooth Whitening, Upper Lip Filler) Turkey, TR

I didn't go to Turkey for a cut price dentist - I resonated that Dr. Betul is a boutique dentist (it has a fantastic cafe vibe when you walk in - very unique and calming). Cemal (Dr. Betul's husband) picked me up at my hotel the 4 days of veneer fixing/shaping/styling etc. He is very passionate about their approach:
a) this is not a cookie cutter dentist that one size fits all - its very boutique (I wanted my veneers a natural look which they did - not too white - not too perfect) :-)
b) Dr. Betul don't cater to a ton of tourists - most of their clientele is local (but many people do fly in to get their veneers and implants done at their centre), so its a one-on-one approach to their dentistry
c) they are not cut price and cheap - if you are looking for Istanbul cheap you won'tt get it here. But the reason they are a little more is Istanbul Dentart use good products (their veneers have many layers of colour that make them look like real teeth); you are not treated like cattle (they really work with you to ensure you are happy with your teeth) - I have heard some Istanbul dentists just churn tourists in and out the door (I didn't want that kind of experience).

Finally, I am pleased, I smile showing my teeth, and enjoy smiling once more. My crooked smile and gaps have been replaced with 10 Uppers, gum lazering and some filler on the top lip to also help counteract my gummy/crooked smile. (I had a bit of back and forth so will explain below to help others out who are thinking of going abroad for veneers)

What I love: the fact that Dr. Betul gave me a natural look that didn't scream VENEERS!! I also wanted a white colour that didn't look like a toilet bowl and I am super pleased with her colour choice.

* only thing I am uncomfortable about is the discoloured front tooth (but underlaying tooth discoloration caused this). Dr. Betul does not shave much off the teeth - she try's to keep the authentic tooth structure underneath your veneer as much as possible. I am leaning towards having her shave more tooth off underneath and put another veneer in - as the discolouration is subtle but I really notice it (so will get that fixed eventually as I am really busy right now)

Cost: around $8,000 - $9,000 USD (incl. 10 upper veneers

May 11th: I went in for the work
Style: I asked for an Ovalstyle and Youthful Style. I didn't seen my mock up so was not 100% sure of my shape initially so had to work with Dr. Betul to manoeuvre my veneer to the shape I want (as initially the incisor teeth area was too pointy for my liking - she worked to rectify that to soften the point).
Colour: M05 (Vita colour chart) [it's not too white - didn't want that toilet bowl look]

June 16th - VENEER BROKE: my veneer cracked I think due to grinding (Dr. Betul had me come in and I got the tooth #11 fixed and also requested a mouthguard incase I grind my teeth at night). I haven't been grinding my teeth (in my sleep) since, so only wore my mouthguard twice. There was bonding on Tooth #11 prior it breaking and my lower tooth was touching the upper tooth - so I think it was a multi-facited combination of wear/tear/grind/bite that caused tooth 11 to come out.

Final Frontier: I got there in the long run. It's been a few months with some back and forth visits (luckily I have a home in Istanbul) as one of my veneers fell out and cracked in another country so I eventually flew back into Istanbul to get a new one (I could have gone to my local dentist but didn't want anyone messing with Dr. Betul's work - as she put her heart and soul into providing great results - and every so often a veneer may crack due to pressure - so its not uncommon in some cases).

Overall, I am pleased with my results - one of my front teeth looks a little "yellow-er" than my other front tooth (in sunlight); but you will see from the before pictures this was because the original teeth were not same colour (I did have a whitening procedure done before the veneers were put on - Dr. Betul said I can go in anytime and make an appointment to change the front tooth if I want). It is bothering me still - as certain light I notice it so will get this fixed. Dr. Betul is open to making sure her clients are happy - which is refreshing. Not a tourist dentist that just wants you in and out (Thankfully). I took a stab in the dark and went with my gut feeling and pleased with the results.

Cemal: (Dr. Betul's husband) drives patients back and forth from their hotel (I paid for my own hotel - but they do have packages that include hotel etc on their website). Cemal is phenomenal as he is in the dental implant business, so not a rookie when it comes to explaining what to expect etc. So he really sets your mind at ease through the drive back and forth.

Now: when I am in Istanbul Dentart is my go-to dentist (this is now become my local dentist). I am glad I choose them, not sure if I would even get to get general dentistry done at the big tourist dentists in Istanbul (so that was another wonderful factor of choosing a small boutique operation). Cemal told me that they don't aim to be the biggest in the tourist industry - they aim to take clients who expect good work and provide these clients with excellent dental work and good service.

If you are considering dental work in Istanbul - put Dentart on your list to check out also. Both dentists speak perfect English so there is no language barrier either.

Some quick photo's of the end result.

Before and After (Veneers)