For patients in South Africa

Dental treatment in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

This is an overview of the dental treatments we arrange in İzmir for patients travelling from South Africa: what each one is, which can be finished in one trip and which need two, and what to arrange with your dentist at home.

Dental treatments we offer

Each link goes to a South African guide to that treatment. The general overview is on the dental treatments page.

Cosmetic treatments

• Veneers — thin custom-made shells bonded to the front of the teeth to change colour, shape or size
• Hollywood smile — a planned makeover of the visible teeth, usually with veneers, crowns or both
• Teeth whitening — lightens the natural colour of the teeth without removing tooth structure
• Composite bonding — tooth-coloured resin added to chipped, worn or uneven teeth

Replacing missing teeth

• Dental implants — a titanium root placed in the jawbone that later carries a crown or bridge
• All-on-4 — a full fixed arch of teeth held on four implants
• All-on-6 — a full fixed arch held on six implants, for extra support where the bone allows
• Dental bridges — a fixed replacement tooth anchored to the teeth or implants either side of a gap
• Dentures — removable replacement teeth for a few teeth or a full mouth

Restoring and straightening teeth

• Dental crowns — a cap covering the whole of a broken, heavily filled or root-treated tooth
• Orthodontics — braces or aligners that move teeth and correct the bite over months

General dentistry and surgery

• General dentistry — check-ups, cleaning, fillings, extractions and gum care
• Root canal treatment — removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth so it can be kept
• Wisdom teeth removal — takes out impacted or problem wisdom teeth
• Oral surgery — surgical treatment of the mouth and jaw, including bone grafting before implants

Not sure which applies? Send recent X-rays or photographs; the dentist will say what fits.

One trip or two

Veneers, crowns and bridges can often be finished in one stay. Implants are different: the implant needs time to join the bone, and a crown on an implant is fitted at least three months after placement, so most implant patients come twice. Full-arch treatment such as All-on-4 usually means about five to seven days for the first stage and a later visit for the permanent bridge.

Your written treatment plan should state how many visits you need and how long each one lasts, before you book flights.

Planning the trip from South Africa

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir, where treatment takes place
• Visa: South Africans need an e-Visa, applied for online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
• Time difference: İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa, so calls with the team are easy to arrange
• Leave room: do not put the final fitting on your last day; book a changeable return ticket
• Records: take home your X-rays, scans and a written note of the materials used and, for implants, the implant system and sizes
• Cover: South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, so check with your scheme; standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad

Aftercare at home

Routine care and check-ups should be done by a dentist in South Africa, so tell yours before you travel. The treatment guarantee covers implants for one year from placement and crowns and restorations for one year from fitting; it does not cover problems caused by smoking, poor oral hygiene, accidents or treatment by another provider at home. Covered work is done in İzmir at no charge for the treatment; flights and accommodation are your own. The dentists are listed on clinic facts, and our complaints page explains how problems are handled.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a plan before a dentist has assessed you, treat more teeth than you need, or file down healthy teeth for crowns where a smaller treatment would do.

Frequently asked questions

Which dental treatment do I need?

That is for the dentist to decide after seeing your X-rays or scans. Send recent records with a description of the problem, and you will get a written plan setting out the treatment and any alternatives.

Can I have all my dental treatment in one trip?

Sometimes. Veneers, crowns and bridges are often finished in one stay. Implants usually need two trips, because the crown is fitted at least three months after the implant is placed.

How long is the flight from South Africa?

Direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir.

What decides the cost of dental treatment?

The number of teeth, the type of treatment and material, whether anything such as gum treatment or bone grafting is needed first, and what the package includes. A firm figure is only possible after an assessment.

Will my medical aid cover dental treatment in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad. Check with your scheme before you book, and note that standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.