Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for dental tourism. It is not hard to see why – its central location coupled with low prices makes it a far superior option to most other Western dental options. While the industry is booming, patients who choose turkey as a destination also need to be careful about the clinic that they pick.
Not all clinics will be able to cater to specific requirements. So, if you wish to find the best possible one, you need to focus on the below factors.
Look for the Top Dentists
Needless to say, the most important element in any dental practice is the dentist carrying out the treatment. This means that your first order of business should involve ensuring that a particular clinic has the best possible dentists at your disposal. But, how can you select the best dentists? Well, they should meet the following criteria:
Credentials
Turkey takes dental credentials seriously. Due to this, you can guarantee that most dentists have been properly trained and vetted before they are hired within a practice. Nevertheless, it is still a good idea to double-check this detail.
Make certain that the dentist you settle on has spent at least five years in a dental program at a top university. If they have specialized in a particular area, then they will probably have continued their education and practice after this period.
Furthermore, all dentists need to be members of the Turkish Dental Association. In case a particular dentist is involved in cosmetic dentistry, he or she needs to be a part of the Turkish Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry.
Specialization
If you are engaging in dental tourism, it probably means that you need treatment for complex teeth or gum issues. Thus, you will require a dentist with a particular specialization. Due to this, you shouldn’t settle for a general dentist that is merely involved in basic checkups, teeth cleaning, and other preventative measurements.
In fact, you may require a prosthodontist, oral surgeon, or periodontist, depending on your particular oral issue. As such, you should always check whether a particular clinic has such experts on its staff. Make certain that these individuals have been trained and are well-educated in their particular field.
Experience
Last, but not least, you need to find a dentist that has spent many years practicing in their particular field. The more experienced a professional is, the better. This means that they are well-equipped to handle virtually any case that they come across.
Is It a Full-Service Clinic?
Considering that you are flying a considerable distance from your home for treatment, you need to make certain that all your issues can be taken care of in one place. It can be quite disappointing and expensive to learn that a particular clinic can’t attend to all your oral health problems within their clinic.
To avoid such a situation, make it a point to check that the clinic is full-service. For instance, do they have the technology and tools required to diagnose various dental issues? Do they have an operating theater that is equipped for most surgeries? Can they tend to a wide variety of functional and cosmetic issues?
It is only by answering these questions that you can ascertain if the clinic can provide you with the precise services you are looking for.
Consider the Technology
Dental technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the last few years. This technology has made it possible for dentists to make faster and more accurate diagnoses. What’s more, these elements have also improved the overall procedures to a great extent. Due to this, you should consider if a particular clinic has these tech features implemented:
X-Ray
You will be surprised to learn that numerous dental clinics don’t have their own x-ray machine. As such, patients are sent to other hospitals or other clinics to get their x-rays done. Needless to say, this is both time-consuming, frustrating, and can be more expensive as well.
This is why you should lookout for a clinic that has its very own x-ray machine. The dentists can then do the x-rays in-house and then diagnose you that much faster. In turn, you will be able to speed up the other processes as well.
3D Tomography
In some cases, x-rays alone don’t suffice. For a dentist to get a clearer picture, they need a tomography machine. This allows them to get a 3D view of the oral cavity. What’s more, they have an easier time differentiating between hard and soft tissues as well.
Thus, this is another element that you should look for. Bear in mind that a lot of clinics don’t have this machine. So, if you find one that does have it, it is a sign that it is a more advanced facility than most.
Intraoral Scanner
Do you want to improve the speed, functionality, and accuracy of your dental visit? Then, opt for a clinic that is equipped with an intraoral scanner. These scanners take a 2D and 3D scan of the structures inside your mouth. The scans can be used for diagnostic purposes or for taking impressions of teeth.
Particularly when it comes to impressions, intraoral scanners are just as – if not more – accurate as physical impressions. You can guarantee that they are certainly faster. Of course, you should make sure that the clinic uses the best possible scanner, a model such as the 3 Shape TRIOS 4.
Digital Smile Design
Smile design is where dentists plan out various procedures to help correct or improve your smile in one way or another. If you were to go to a dentist that did not offer smile design technology, you would simply have to imagine what your new smile would look like.
With digital smile design, however, there is no guesswork involved. Instead, your dentist can upload an image of your current smile, alter it according to the procedures that you would go through, and show you the results.
This will also allow you to see the final results before undergoing any procedures. You can then decide whether or not this is the smile makeover is right for you, or if you want further changes done. Being able to see the results before the procedure can also make it easier to get used to your new smile.
Examine the Lab Setup
Dental labs are where crowns and other tooth appliances are fixed up. As you can imagine, this is an important part of the overall operation. You need to make certain that the technology and artists involved in this process are up to scratch and possess the necessary qualifications.
CAD/CAM Technology
First things first, check whether your preferred dental clinic boasts CAD/CAM technology. Remember the intraoral scanners discussed above? Well, with CAD/CAM technology, your dentists can send these scans to machines that can recreate a proper crown perfectly for you.
This means that the crown is more accurate and can be created within a shorter period of time. So, this technology is something you need to check on in advance. It can make all the difference in the result.
Master Ceramists
At the same time, you should be aware that there are limits to what technology can achieve. In these instances, you will need ceramists to pick up the slack and design certain crowns or appliances by hand. As such, check that your chosen dental clinic employs master ceramists. These experienced and skilled individuals will be able to recreate the necessary elements perfectly.
Check on the Quality of the Products
As you may be aware, numerous products and materials go into improving your oral health. There are just as many elements involved in aesthetic treatments as well.
You also need to ensure that the products and materials used are of the highest quality. For one thing, they will be embedded in your mouth for an extended period of time. As such, they should be absolutely safe for you.
Another reason that quality is important is durability. You need to make certain that the various implements will hold up to the various wear and tear that takes place in the mouth. This, in turn, ensures that they will last for a longer period of time.
The easiest way to make sure of the quality is to check that your dentist is using top brands. So, which ones should you watch out for? Well, these are especially well-known in the dentistry industry:
Straumann
Nobel Biocare,
Mode
Ivoclar Vivadent
Also be aware of what is used for teeth whitening. Keep in mind that poor quality or knockoff products can be rather dangerous for you. Therefore, check that your dentist is using a well-regarded whitening treatment such as Philips Zoom II.
Another detail you should keep in mind is that some clinics could claim to use high-quality items without any proof to back it up. This allows them to charge higher prices for low-quality products and make a nice profit.
To avoid falling into this trap, stick with dental clinics that provide you with certificates for every product or material that is used.
Look for Recommended Clinics
Another tactic to use when looking for good dental clinics is to check the sites of top-notch brands like Straumann, Nobel Biocare, and Mode. These companies will often recommend top-functioning clinics that have a high rate of success and customer satisfaction.
By following this lead, you can reduce the workload and effort involved. Not to mention, you can also expect a higher rate of success for any treatment that you need to undergo.
Compare the Costs
There is no denying that dental treatments in Turkey are far more affordable than in countries like the UK or the US. Still, it is important to appreciate just how much you will spend on a particular procedure. One way to do this is to compare the prices of several well-known clinics.
Now, while you may not want to go for the most expensive option available, you shouldn’t opt for the cheapest one either. Remember, good quality materials, products, technology, and dentists all cost money. Therefore, you need to be financially stable before you decide to undergo these procedures abroad. You will also need to think of air travel, be able to find lodging, and more.
However, what these clinics will offer you is excellent value for money. Yes, you may have to spend a little more, but you can guarantee that you get to enjoy high-quality work. This can improve the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the final result while reducing the risk of complications. And, since they have splurged on better materials and products, the results will last longer too.
Consider the Clientele
Finally, you may want to consider the clientele of a particular clinic. Do they mostly cater to local patients or do they have a significant international client base as well? If you are in the country for dental tourism, it is a good idea to pick a clinic that is used to dealing with international clients. This can be helpful for a few different reasons.
First, this clinic is bound to have dentists and other personnel that can speak English. As a result, you will find it far easier to communicate with the staff. As a result, you won’t need to worry about any confusion or misunderstandings obstructing your treatment.
As an added bonus, these clinics can come up with a treatment plan, including a post-operative element that is well-suited to international patients. This may not be something that other clinics offer. And, since aftercare is rather important, it is something that you should consider.
This is your guide to finding the best dental clinic in Turkey. Yes, there are several aspects to consider before making your final decision. However, you should know that all these factors can mean the difference between a mediocre and an excellent dental clinic. Thus, making the effort now will pay off later once your dental treatments have been completed.