For patients in South Africa

Hollywood Smile in Turkey from South Africa: planning the whole smile

“Hollywood smile” is a marketing term rather than one standard procedure. It describes a smile makeover that improves the colour, shape, size and proportion of the teeth, using a combination of veneers, crowns, whitening or bonding chosen for each tooth. This page explains how that plan should be built and what South African patients should arrange around the trip.

One plan, several treatments

A Hollywood smile is not a single treatment applied to every tooth. The dentist looks at each tooth and chooses what it actually needs:

• Whitening brightens the colour of your existing teeth without removing any tooth structure.
• Composite bonding fixes small chips, gaps and little imperfections.
• Veneers cover mainly the front surface to change colour, shape or size.
• Crowns cover the whole tooth and are usually reserved for heavily filled, broken or root-treated teeth.

Some patients need only the front teeth addressed; others need a full mouth makeover. If veneers are likely to be part of your plan, our veneers guide for South African patients covers the questions to ask, and the treatment is explained on the veneers page. The full treatment overview is on the Hollywood smile page.

See the design before anything is prepared

Every Hollywood smile at Revitalize in Turkey starts with a detailed smile assessment and digital treatment planning designed around your facial proportions, bite and preferences. Ask to see the proposed design and agree it before any tooth is prepared, because preparation for veneers or crowns can be irreversible.

Natural shade and size, not an over-white look

Much of the “Turkey teeth” criticism is about smiles that look too white, too large or too uniform, or where crowns were placed on healthy teeth. Those are planning choices, not inevitable results. When you discuss your plan, ask:

• How many teeth really need treating, and why each one?
• Is each tooth getting whitening, bonding, a veneer or a crown?
• Could a more conservative option, such as whitening or orthodontics, work instead?
• What shade and tooth size are proposed, and will they look natural against your skin and gums?
• Who is the treating dentist, by name?

Our dentists are listed on clinic facts.

Who it suits, and what comes first

A smile makeover may help if you have discoloured, stained, worn or uneven teeth, small gaps or minor alignment concerns, or want to change the shape and proportion of your teeth. Gum disease, active decay and bite problems need assessing and treating first. Suitability is only confirmed after a full examination.

The trip from South Africa

There is no single figure for how long a Hollywood smile takes. It depends on your oral health, the number and type of restorations, laboratory stages, try-ins and adjustments. Your dentist should confirm the schedule after examination. For planning:

• Direct flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir.
• South African passport holders apply for an e-Visa before travelling.
• Turkey is one hour ahead of South Africa, so jet lag is not a factor.
• Leave room after fitting for adjustments, and book a return ticket you can change.
• Travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad, so check your policy wording.

Looking after your smile at home

Restorations need ongoing hygiene and regular check-ups, and may need maintenance or replacement over time. Ask for a written record of what was done to each tooth, the materials used, and your scans or X-rays to take home for your dentist in South Africa, and book a check-up for after you return. Possible complications include sensitivity, gum irritation and debonding, and no cosmetic result can be guaranteed.

What our treatment guarantee covers for dental work is set out on that page, and how complaints are handled is published on our complaints page.

What we will not do

We will not treat more teeth than your smile needs, we will not use crowns where a more conservative option would do, and we will not start before you have seen and agreed the plan.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to stay in Turkey for a Hollywood smile?

It depends on how many teeth are treated, whether you need veneers, crowns or treatment for gums or decay first, and the laboratory stages and try-ins. Your dentist confirms a realistic schedule after examining you; until then, do not book return flights you cannot change.

Do I need veneers or crowns on every tooth?

No. A Hollywood smile is a plan for the whole smile, not a fixed number of teeth. Some teeth may only need whitening or bonding, and veneers or crowns are not automatically appropriate for healthy teeth.

What decides the cost of a Hollywood smile?

The number of teeth treated, whether each one needs a veneer, a crown, bonding or whitening, the materials, any treatment needed first, and what your written proposal includes. A firm figure is only possible after a dental assessment.

Can my dentist in South Africa look after the result?

Yes, for routine care. Bring home a written record of what was done to each tooth, the materials used, and your scans or X-rays.

Will my medical aid cover a Hollywood smile?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic dentistry. Ask your scheme if you are unsure.

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