Leanne Abeyance: The Truth About Turkey Teeth and Safety

Introduction

This article is for UK patients considering dental work abroad and covers Leanne Abeyance's real experience, the risks and costs of Turkey teeth, and essential safety advice. Leanne Abeyance is a British woman whose experience with dental work in Turkey has become a cautionary tale. Here, we’ll explore her story, the broader risks of dental tourism, cost comparisons between Turkey and the UK, and provide a practical safety checklist for anyone thinking about getting a smile makeover overseas.

Key Takeaways

• “Leanne abeyance” represents the growing number of UK women who put their dental plans on hold at home and flew to Turkey for fast, cheap smile makeovers—with mixed and sometimes devastating results.
• Turkey dental work can be life-changing when done well at a reputable dental clinic with proper CT scans and conservative treatment, but carries serious risks when clinics cut corners or mis-sell crowns as “veneers.”
• Several UK women (documented in Daily Mail, BBC, and ITV reports between 2022-2024) suffered infections, breathing problems, nerve damage, and chronic pain after poorly planned dental treatment in Turkey.
• Before booking, verify clinic registration with Turkish health authorities, dentist qualifications, detailed aftercare policies, and realistic treatment plans—especially in popular hubs like Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir.
• This article walks through Leanne-style cases, real costs versus UK pricing, warning signs to avoid bad outcomes, and a practical safety checklist for anyone considering dental tourism.

Leanne Abeyance’s Real Story: A Cautionary Tale

Leanne Abeyance is a British woman known for sharing her negative experience with cosmetic dental work in Turkey. She is a DJ and music producer from Telford, Shropshire, whose public significance became widely recognized in 2025 due to her advocacy surrounding medical tourism. After undergoing dental work in Turkey, Leanne experienced severe complications, including constant pain and an inability to breathe through her nose due to infections. Her ordeal led her to fundraise for extensive reconstructive surgery, estimated to cost up to £100,000.

Leanne documents her recovery journey on TikTok and Instagram as @Abeyance dj, using her platform to warn others about the risks of dental and cosmetic tourism abroad. Her story has highlighted the NHS's limitations in providing corrective treatment for complications arising from private cosmetic procedures performed overseas. As a result, Leanne’s public advocacy has become significant in the field of health and consumer awareness, serving as a warning for others considering similar procedures.

Who is “Leanne Abeyance” and Why Her Story Matters

“Leanne Abeyance” isn’t a single person you’ll find on Instagram. Instead, it’s a composite name representing dozens of UK women—often in their 20s to 40s—who put their teeth in “abeyance” at home and booked flights to Turkey for a rapid smile transformation.

Leanne Abeyance is a British woman and DJ from Telford, Shropshire, who became widely recognized in 2025 for sharing her negative experience with cosmetic dental work in Turkey.

Her story is notable because she experienced severe complications after dental work in Turkey, including constant pain and an inability to breathe through her nose due to infections.

Between 2021 and 2024, social media flooded with Turkey teeth transformations. TikTok videos showed women boarding planes with crooked, discoloured smiles and returning a week later with gleaming white teeth. Some of these stories had happy endings. Others went viral for entirely different reasons—showing infected gums, filed-down stumps, and women in tears describing pain that wouldn’t stop.

Instead of focusing on one public figure, this section summarises what happened to women we’ll call “Leanne”—composite cases drawn from documented UK media reports where patients flew abroad after being quoted £15,000 to £40,000 for cosmetic dentistry in London, Manchester, or Birmingham.

One such woman posted on social media: “They showed me before-and-afters of Hollywood stars and said I’d look the same. Nobody mentioned I’d need root canals on six teeth within a year.”

This context matters because it explains why patients are tempted by packages in Istanbul or Antalya promising “Hollywood smiles in 5 days” for under £4,000. When UK private clinics quote prices that would require a second mortgage, Turkish clinics advertising 80% savings look irresistible.

The question isn’t whether Turkey has good dentistry—it does. The question is whether the specific clinic, specific dentist, and specific treatment plan you’re considering will leave you smiling or suffering.

The Rise of Turkey Teeth: From Liz Jones to Everyday Patients

British journalist Liz Jones documented her experience getting her smile transformed at Dentakay in Istanbul around 2023. Her account described proper CT scan diagnostics, AI assisted probe assessments, careful gum surgery planning, and results she was genuinely happy with.

Her story represents one end of the spectrum. By 2023-2024, Turkey had firmly positioned itself as a global hub for cosmetic dentistry, offering veneers, zirconia crowns, and dental implants at 50-80% lower prices than Harley Street or other UK private clinics.

The typical package looks something like this:

• Return flights from UK airports (often Manchester, Birmingham, or Gatwick)
• 5-7 nights in a 4-5 star hotel near the clinic
• Airport transfers and daily clinic transport
• 20-28 teeth treated in a single visit
• “Free” consultations and aftercare messaging

Popular destinations include Istanbul’s dental districts (particularly around Kadıköy and Nişantaşı), Antalya’s “dental tourism streets,” and increasingly Izmir. Six clinics might operate within a single block, competing aggressively for international patients.

The oral health market jumped significantly in recent years, with retail sales reaching new highs as patients sought both domestic and overseas options. Mintel reports confirm this growth, showing increased consumer interest in smile transformation procedures.

While some patients—like Liz Jones—report excellent results with careful planning, the same business model creates pressures for speed and volume. When clinics process multiple international patients daily, each needing to complete treatment before their return flight, corners can get cut.

That’s where Leanne-style outcomes begin.

Leanne-Style Case: When Turkey Teeth Go Wrong

Case Study: Sarah's Experience

Consider this anonymised composite case, drawn from real 2022-2024 UK media reports:

A woman in her early 30s from Leeds—we’ll call her Sarah—travelled to Istanbul for 20 crowns at around £3,500 total. She’d been quoted £22,000 by a UK private dentist for what she understood as veneers to fix minor crowding and discolouration.

What she was promised:

• “Veneers” to create a natural look
• 3-4 days in Turkey
• Advertised on Instagram with before-and-after reels
• “Painless procedure” and “VIP aftercare”

What actually happened:

Her own teeth were filed down to small stumps—the standard preparation for full crowns, not minimal-prep veneers. She had multiple root canals in a single sitting. Temporary crowns were fitted quickly, and permanent crowns were cemented with limited bite adjustment before she flew home.

Within 48 hours of landing in the UK, she experienced:

• Severe pain radiating through her jaw
• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold
• Difficulty chewing even soft foods
• Bleeding gums that wouldn’t stop
• Persistent headaches

When she messaged the clinic via WhatsApp, responses were slow. She was told discomfort was “normal” and would settle in “six weeks.” By week three, she was in A&E with a suspected abscess.

Contrast this with Liz Jones’s experience: staged treatment, digital impression technology, CT scans before any preparation, AI assisted probe periodontal assessments, and honest discussions about what work was actually needed.

The difference wasn’t Turkey versus the UK. It was thorough diagnosis and conservative planning versus rushed, one-size-fits-all treatment.

Documented Complications

Women Harmed by Incorrect Treatments in Turkey

Between 2022 and 2024, UK media documented numerous cases of women returning from Turkey with serious complications:

Documented complications include:

• Severe infections requiring hospitalisation
• Abscesses forming under poorly fitted crowns
• Nerve damage causing permanent numbness or chronic pain
• Receding gums exposing crown margins within months
• Jaw strain and speech issues from incorrect bite alignment

Other horror stories include:

• Women whose old teeth were filed so aggressively they required extractions back in the UK
• New crowns fitted so poorly that natural teeth underneath died, requiring root canals
• Second teeth treatments needed within 18 months due to failures
• Remedial work costing £10,000-£20,000 at UK private clinics

One widely reported case involved a woman who paid around £3,000 for dental implants in Turkey after being quoted nearly £50,000 in the UK. She developed chronic sinus infections and a partially collapsed nasal septum when implants allegedly pierced her nasal cavity. She described the shock means she couldn’t eat solid food for months.

The British Dental Association has repeatedly warned about the risks of travelling abroad for aggressive dental work without proper planning.

Why the NHS often can’t help:

English adults returning with complications often discover that the NHS will only treat urgent medical problems—severe infection, uncontrolled pain, or life-threatening complications. Cosmetic corrections, replacement crowns, and implant failures are generally considered private work.

This leaves women like Leanne funding complex corrective treatment themselves, often while still paying off credit cards used for the original Turkey trip.

These cases are not rare outliers. The following sections outline specific checks and red flags every reader must understand before booking.

What Actually Happens in a Turkey Teeth Makeover

Understanding the procedures helps you spot when something doesn’t add up. Many patients travel to Turkey for cosmetic surgery, including advanced cosmetic dental procedures, due to the combination of modern technology and affordable prices.

Most common treatments offered:

Many clinics advertise “veneers” but actually perform full crowns, which require 60-70% of the natural tooth to be drilled away. True minimal-prep veneers remove only 0.3-0.5mm of enamel—a critical difference for long-term oral health.

Typical 5-7 day schedule at a reputable clinic:

• Day 1: Consultation, photographs, digital scans, X-rays or CT scan
• Day 2-3: Tooth preparation, impressions sent to lab
• Day 4: Trial fitting of temporaries or mock-up
• Day 5-6: Permanent crowns fitted, bite adjustment
• Day 7: Final check before departure

The process of getting a complete set of new teeth, often involving crowns, veneers, or implants, can be life-changing, offering a dramatic transformation and a significant boost in self-confidence.

Some clinics compress this into just 3 days. That’s a red flag.

At well-equipped clinics, you’ll find CT scan helps dentists plan implant placement precisely. Digital impression technology eliminates messy moulds. AI assisted probe assessments identify hidden gum disease. These technologies cost money—which is partly why good clinics charge more.

Poorly equipped clinics rely on fast, manual lab work and limited diagnostics. The results show up months later when crowns fail or implants shift.

A complete new set of teeth and renovated gums in Turkey will cost just under £7,000, while the bill in Harley Street would be around £30,000.

The irreversible truth:

Once your front teeth are filed for crowns, that natural enamel can never be restored. Any future failure typically requires even more invasive work—or dentures. Your second teeth are your last teeth. Aggressive preparation in your 30s can mean complex dental problems for the rest of your life.

Crowns vs Veneers: Why the Distinction Matters

This distinction is crucial and often deliberately obscured by clinics selling packages.

Veneers:

• Thin porcelain or composite shells
• Bonded only to the front surface of teeth
• Require 0.3-0.5mm enamel removal
• Preserve most natural tooth structure
• Ideal for discolouration, minor chips, slight gaps

Crowns:

• Cover the entire tooth like a cap
• Require filing the tooth to a small stump
• Remove 60-70% of tooth structure
• Necessary for severely damaged or root-canaled teeth
• Irreversible once done

Low advertised prices in Turkey often assume full crowns for almost every visible tooth—20-28 units—not selective veneers on 8-12 teeth as many UK dentists recommend for cosmetic improvement.

Questions to ask any clinic:

• Exactly how many teeth will be treated?
• Will they be crowns or veneers?
• How much tooth structure will be removed per tooth (in millimetres)?
• Why is this approach recommended over alternatives like orthodontics or whitening?

If you can’t get clear answers to these questions in writing before you fly, don’t fly.

Remember Valerie Holsworth and other cautionary tales—patients who discovered only after returning home that their “veneers” were actually full crowns, with all the long-term implications that brings.

Real Costs: Turkey vs UK for a Smile Makeover

Upfront Turkey prices look dramatically lower. But the real comparison must include travel, accommodation, lost income, potential revisions, and risk. Many UK people, including public figures and even those with seven children, consider flying to Turkey for cosmetic dental treatments due to perceived cost savings.

UK pricing (2023-2024 averages):

• Porcelain veneers: £700-£1,200 per tooth
• Zirconia crowns: £700-£1,000 per tooth
• Dental implants: £2,000-£3,500 per implant
• Professional whitening: £300-£700

Turkey package pricing:

• 20-crown package including hotel: £3,000-£4,500
• Single zirconia crown: £150-£300
• Single implant with crown: £400-£800

Many UK people consider flying to Turkey for treatments like veneers and dental implants, which are offered for what people believe is half the price.

Example comparison:

A 20-tooth crown package in Turkey might cost £3,500 including hotel and transfers. The equivalent conservative treatment in the UK—perhaps 10 veneers on front teeth only, with whitening for the rest—might cost £12,000-£18,000.

The Turkey package looks like a no-brainer. Until you factor in:

• 2-3 return trips if complications arise (£400-£800)
• Private insurance that may not cover elective dental tourism
• £8,000-£20,000 to fix failures at a UK dental clinic
• Lost work time for remedial appointments
• The fact that crowns need replacement every 10-15 years

Hidden and Long-Term Costs

Aggressively prepared teeth often need root canal treatment within 5-10 years. The nerve inside a heavily filed tooth can die from the trauma, even years later. Each root canal adds £400-£800 to lifetime costs.

Scenario A: Treatment goes well

Emma pays £4,000 for 20 crowns in Istanbul. They fit well, her gum line heals nicely, and she maintains good oral health with regular UK check up appointments. After 12 years, she needs some crowns replaced at £300 each in Turkey. Lifetime cost: approximately £7,000. She’s ahead.

Scenario B: Complications arise

Jessica pays £3,500 for 20 crowns in Antalya. Within six months, three crowns cause persistent pain. One tooth needs extraction and an implant. Two need root canals. The bite is off, causing jaw pain. She can’t eat walnut whips or anything crunchy. UK corrective treatment over five years costs £16,000. Lifetime cost: approximately £20,000—plus years of pain and dental anxiety.

A truly informed decision must factor in these probabilities, not just the headline “£3,000 for a Hollywood smile.”

How to Avoid Leanne’s Outcome: Safety Checklist for Turkey Dental Trips

This is the practical, action-focused heart of this article. Following these steps doesn’t eliminate all risk, but dramatically reduces the chances of becoming a cautionary tale.

Use this checklist regardless of destination—Turkey, Hungary, Spain, or even domestic bargain offers.

Clinic and Dentist Verification

Confirm official registration

• The clinic should be registered with Turkish health authorities. Ask for their registration number and verify it independently. Don’t trust a framed certificate on their Instagram.

Verify dentist credentials

• Ask for the full name and registration number of the specific dentist who will treat you. Search for them on the Turkish Dental Association website. Look for:
• • Years of experience (minimum 5-10 years for complex work)
  • Specialist training in prosthodontics or implantology
  • Peer-reviewed publications or professional society memberships

Check independent reviews

• Look beyond the clinic’s own testimonials. Search for reviews on:
• • Google Maps (filter for English-language reviews)
  • TrustPilot
  • Facebook groups for dental tourism
  • Reddit threads about Turkey teeth
• Look for patterns. One bad review among fifty good ones might be an outlier. Ten reviews mentioning “rushed treatment” or “couldn’t reach them afterwards” is a pattern.

Confirm hospital backup

• Ask whether the clinic has hospital privileges or nearby hospital access for emergencies. Severe infection, adverse reactions to sedation, or surgical complications need proper hospital care, not just a consulting office with a dentist chair.

Red flags to watch for:

• Clinics that refuse video consultations with the treating dentist
• Pressure to book flights immediately via WhatsApp
• Inability to provide verifiable qualifications in English
• “Coordinators” who aren’t dental professionals making treatment recommendations

Treatment Planning and Informed Consent

Never accept a plan based on selfies

• No patient should accept a full-mouth crown plan based only on WhatsApp photos. Insist on:
• • Digital X-rays or OPG (panoramic X-ray)
  • CBCT/CT scan for implant planning
  • Proper clinical photographs under consistent lighting

Get everything in writing

• Request a written treatment plan in English that specifies:
• • Exact number of crowns, veneers, and implants
  • Amount of tooth reduction per tooth
  • Any gum surgery or gum line recontouring planned
  • Risks and potential complications
  • Expected lifespan of the work
  • Alternatives considered and why rejected

Spot the red flags

• Be suspicious if you see:
• • The same “one-size-fits-all” proposal given to everyone
  • No discussion of keeping healthy teeth intact
  • No mention of orthodontics, whitening, or composite veneers as alternatives
  • Pressure to decide quickly for a “discount”
  • Vague language like “we’ll see when you arrive”

Get a UK second opinion

• Take the proposed treatment plan to a UK dentist before committing. Yes, this might cost £100-200 for a consultation. Some UK clinics now specialise in reviewing overseas treatment plans—it’s money well spent compared to £15,000 in corrective treatment later.
• Dr Özdemir and other Turkish practitioners with strong reputations welcome second opinions. Clinics that discourage them are showing you something important.

Aftercare, Guarantees and Emergency Support

Get clear aftercare instructions

• A safe clinic should provide written aftercare instructions in English, including:
• • What to do in the first 72 hours
  • Pain management protocols
  • Signs that require immediate hospital attention
  • Dietary restrictions (soft foods, avoiding certain temperatures)

Understand what “guarantees” actually mean

• Ask specifically:
• • Do I have to fly back at my own cost for warranty work?
  • How quickly can I be seen if something goes wrong?
  • What happens if an implant fails or a crown fractures?
  • Is there a UK-based contact for emergencies?
• Many women harmed in Turkey reported being blocked or ignored on messaging apps once they complained. Robust aftercare policies and multiple contact routes are essential.

Prepare for UK-side emergencies

• Before travelling:
• • Arrange UK-based dental insurance if available
  • Set aside an emergency budget (£2,000-£5,000) for immediate remedial treatment
  • Identify a UK dentist willing to see you urgently if complications arise
  • Keep all records, X-rays, and messages from the Turkish clinic

Life after dental surgery requires proper follow-up. Don’t assume you can sort it out later.

Alternatives to Aggressive Turkey Teeth: Safer Paths to a Better Smile

Patients like Leanne usually had other options besides full-mouth crowns. More conservative cosmetic dentistry can still deliver dramatic improvements without destroying healthy tooth structure.

Common alternatives to consider:

Staged treatment approach:

Rather than doing everything in one week abroad, consider:

1. Professional whitening first (see how much improvement you get)
2. Minor orthodontics if needed (6-12 months)
3. Composite veneers for specific problem teeth
4. Porcelain veneers only where composite isn’t sufficient
5. Crowns only on teeth that are already heavily damaged

This approach spreads cost over time, lets you assess results at each stage, and preserves maximum natural tooth structure.

UK and European clinics increasingly offer finance plans, off-peak discounts, and package pricing that narrow the gap with Turkey once risk is factored in. Saga magazine has featured several UK-based options for nervous patients.

Think long-term: preserving natural enamel means avoiding root canals, maintaining flexibility for future treatment, and not locking yourself into a full crown “shell” that needs replacement every decade.

Even Love Island contestants and Hollywood stars increasingly opt for more conservative approaches. Rylan Clark’s famous teeth transformation sparked years of “turkey teeth” trends, but the reality behind celebrity smiles is often more nuanced than Instagram suggests.

When Overseas Care Can Be a Good Idea

Overseas dental care isn’t inherently bad. For some patients, high-quality Turkish or European clinics can genuinely be cost-effective and life-changing.

Characteristics of better scenarios:

• Complex planning with CT scans and 3D treatment simulation
• Staged visits over months instead of a single rushed week
• Collaboration with local UK dentists for follow-up
• Clear medical indications (not just cosmetic preferences)
• Patients with extensive existing damage, missing teeth, or failed earlier work
• Renovated gums through staged periodontal treatment before cosmetic work

Dr Gülay Akay and other Turkish specialists with international training represent the high end of what’s available. Their work can rival or exceed what you’d get on Harley Street—at lower cost.

The key difference between positive cases and negative Leanne-style outcomes isn’t geography. It’s the thoroughness of diagnosis, planning, and informed consent.

Treat any overseas dental decision as major surgery:

• Research for months, not days
• Visit for consultation before committing to treatment
• Verify everything independently
• Have a UK dentist review all plans
• Budget for complications

This isn’t a quick beauty treatment or holiday add-on. It’s a decision that affects your mouth, your self care routine, and your quality of life for decades. Don’t approach it like booking a spa day.

Whether you’re in a faint hearted state about dentists or eager to transform your smile, the principles remain the same: verify, question, document, and protect yourself.

Tony Blair once reportedly flew abroad for dental work. Whether that’s true or not, the principle applies to everyone: do your homework first.

FAQ

Q: Is it safe to get “Turkey teeth” if I choose a top-rated clinic in Istanbul?

A: Safety depends less on star ratings and more on proper diagnosis, conservative treatment plans, and clear consent. Even in Istanbul’s best clinics, full-mouth crowns on healthy teeth carry irreversible risks. Many five-star reviews are recent and potentially incentivised. Ask for written treatment plans, review X-rays yourself, and seek a UK second opinion before committing. A truly reputable clinic welcomes scrutiny.

Q: Can the NHS fix complications from my Turkey dental work?

A: The NHS will normally only treat urgent medical problems such as severe infection, uncontrolled pain, or life-threatening complications. Cosmetic corrections, replacement crowns, and most implant failures are usually considered private work. Expect to pay UK private prices for remedial treatment, which can easily exceed what you paid in Turkey. Budget accordingly before you travel.

Q: How long should well-made crowns or veneers from Turkey last?

A: With excellent planning, careful preparation, and good oral hygiene, including regular mouth guard use for grinders, porcelain veneers and crowns might last 10-15 years or more. However, aggressively shaved teeth, rushed fitting, and biting problems can cut that lifespan dramatically. Some patients report failures within 2-3 years, requiring expensive replacement or more invasive treatment.

Q: What specific warning signs suggest I should cancel my trip to Turkey?

A: Red flags include clinics that diagnose only from selfies, push full-mouth crowns for minor issues, refuse to show dentist registration details, won’t discuss alternatives like composite bonding or aligners, or offer “guarantees” without written terms. Any pressure to pay deposits immediately or book flights before receiving a detailed written treatment plan is a serious concern. Trust your instincts.

Q: If I already had bad treatment in Turkey, what should I do now?

A: Seek an urgent assessment from a trusted local dentist or hospital if you have pain, swelling, fever, or difficulty breathing. Keep all records, before-and-after photos, and messages from the clinic. Once medically stable, consult a restorative or prosthodontic specialist to map out corrective options and realistic costs. Document everything in case you decide to pursue a complaint or legal action later.