Too Good to Be True? How a £3,000 Smile Makeover Abroad Turned Into a Devastating Ordeal
Leanne Abeyance boarded a plane to Turkey with high hopes of achieving the flawless, celebrity-worthy smile she had long dreamed of—without the steep UK price tag. But what was supposed to be a straightforward cosmetic upgrade quickly spiraled into a nightmare she never anticipated.
Within hours of her procedure, agonizing pain and alarming facial swelling took hold, leaving her trapped in a painful and disfiguring reality. What went wrong behind closed doors at that overseas dental clinic? And how many others risk suffering the same fate in pursuit of bargain beauty?
A Mother’s Dream Smile Becomes a Nightmare After Cost-Cutting Dental Surgery in Turkey
Leanne, a 40-year-old DJ from Telford, Shropshire, hoped to replace her aging veneers with dental implants during a trip abroad—only to return home facing crippling pain and severe damage.
Her treatment involved extensive work: multiple tooth extractions, a sinus lift, and the placement of fifteen implants—eight on the upper jaw and seven on the lower. She was fitted with temporary teeth two days later, with plans to receive her permanent set five months down the line.
But almost immediately, Leanne experienced intense sinus infections and relentless headaches. More alarmingly, her facial structure began to shift visibly. After a rushed visit to A&E, she was prescribed antibiotics but told little else could be done at that stage.
It wasn’t until a private scan revealed the truth—two implants had punctured her nasal cavity, causing untold damage.
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“The pain is unlike anything I’ve ever endured,” Leanne shared. “It feels like glass shards tearing beneath my skin every time I touch my face. I’ve cried more than I can count. My face has actually collapsed, and instead of teeth, I have nothing but metal screws sticking out. It’s worse than childbirth.”
The main reason Leanne chose Turkey was the staggering price difference: while the procedure would have cost approximately £40,000 in the UK, she was quoted £8,000 overseas and paid just £3,000 upfront.
But the reality was far from the bargain she hoped for. “They extracted my teeth with barely enough anesthesia—I counted about 25 injections over six agonizing hours,” she recalled. “The sinus lift felt like someone was hammering directly into my skull. It was a waking nightmare.”
Though she was moved to a comfortable hotel afterward, Leanne felt utterly isolated, often breaking down in tears over phone calls to loved ones. She struggled to eat due to swelling and the exposed implant screws.
At first, she was optimistic about her temporary smile, but the pain quickly overshadowed any joy. “By the time I was at the airport, the agony was unbearable—I was constantly pressing ice packs to my swollen, bruised face,” she said. “I looked like I’d been in a vicious assault.”
Back in the UK, the symptoms worsened—constant headaches, tooth pain despite missing teeth, and severe sinus problems. Multiple rounds of antibiotics offered no relief, and eventually, she required hospitalization and IV treatment.
A 4D dental scan at Droitwich Dental Studio confirmed her fears: one implant had breached her sinus cavity, while another was lodged in her nose.
Now facing the prospect of complex corrective surgery, Leanne is seeking funds for private care. Her dentist warns she may need all implants removed and redone—a procedure with an estimated price tag of £45,000.
@drrhonaeskander Her face COLLAPSED after Turkey teeth?! Let’s talk about what really went wrong – and how to protect yourself. 🦷⚠️ #TurkeyTeeth #DentalTourism #DentistReacts #TurkeyTeeth #DentalTourism #DentistReacts #TeethGoneWrong #CosmeticDentistry #DentalDisaster #VeneersGoneWrong #DentalTok #ToothTruth #SmileMakeover ♬ original sound – Dr Rhona Eskander
“This pain is unbearable,” Leanne said. “The glossy ‘celebrity smile’ you see on social media isn’t the quick or risk-free fix it’s made out to be. There’s no such thing as a flawless, perfect smile without consequences. I’m not asking for pity—I just want to repair the damage done. Thankfully, my current dental team is wonderful, and I’m determined to see this through with them.”
Conclusion: The Hidden Dangers of Budget Cosmetic Dentistry Abroad
Leanne Abeyance’s ordeal is a stark cautionary tale about the risks of opting for cheap cosmetic dental work overseas. What began as a hopeful, affordable smile transformation ended in severe pain, facial deformity, and ongoing health battles.
Her experience underscores the dangers of unregulated or poorly performed dental procedures, especially complex surgeries like implants and sinus lifts. While the lure of discounted prices can be tempting, Leanne’s story is a powerful reminder that with healthcare—especially when it involves your face—cutting corners can carry devastating consequences.