A mother of three has said that flying to Turkey for a £10,000 smile makeover was the worst thing she’s ever done as she’s been left in ‘agony’ for six months.
Vicky Robinson, from Nottingham, flew to the country to get a full set of crowns in October last year.
She has since spent all her savings trying to salvage her teeth and is desperately urging others in her position not to repeat her mistakes.
The 47-year-old said the surgeon carried out procedures she had not asked for, including two sinus lifts and removing and replacing seven of her teeth with implants.
The procedure was supposed to cost £3,000, said Ms Robinson, but she was handed a bill for £10,000.
She was sent home three days later in agony because the screws in her implants had come loose.
‘They did all this stuff without asking,’ Ms Robinson said.
‘As soon as they got me in the chair, nobody spoke English.
Vicky Robinson, 47, pictured before she flew to turkey for a £10,000 smile makeover
The procedure has left mum-of-three Ms Robsinon in ongoing agony
‘I don’t know what I was thinking but when I got the bill, I was in shock. They ripped seven teeth out but only gave me six implants.’
She said the two sinus lifts set her back £500 each, although she ‘didn’t even know what a sinus lift was’ before having the surgery, which raises the sinus membrane to create space for implants.
‘My mouth was a mess. They stitched my cheek and gum together and I had an abscess.
‘My face was so swollen and I was in so much pain. If there’d been a cliff nearby I would have jumped off it.’
When Ms Robinson got home she could not recover and struggled to eat and drink.
‘I lost weight but I was too embarrassed to go to the hospital.’
Ms Robinson flew back to Turkey last month to have her crowns and implants removed and refitted at the same surgery.
She said that the second time, the surgeon didn’t coat the crowns properly, leaving visible holes in her teeth.
The dental surgery in Turkey did not offer veneers, so Ms Robinson opted for crowns – thicker, full-tooth coverings
The dentist performed two sinus lifts, despite this not being arranged beforehand, Ms Robinson says
‘I can’t live without antibiotics because there are holes in my crowns and food gets stuck in them, causing an infection,’ she said.
‘The first time I went, they sold me the dream. They put me in a nice hotel. The second time, the hotel was a shambles.’
Ms Robinson plans to fly back next week to have the holes filled in and get a £500 refund for two implants that have fallen out.
‘I’ve spent all my savings. I’ve probably spent £20,000 altogether including flights to get back out there, hotels and babysitters for my children.
‘I had to take my children to Flamingo Land because we can’t afford to go abroad.’
On top of the staggering cost, Ms Robinson fears she will never be happy with her smile.
‘These teeth are supposed to be permanent and I hate them. I’m really fuming. This is my life and it’s been ruined.
‘I can’t eat on one side and I don’t know what’s wrong. My face is wrecked. I can’t go out.
A social media post made by Ms Robinson before her flight to Turkey, captioned ‘and we’re off’
Ms Robinson was sent back home three days after her surgery
‘The first thing people point out is my swollen face. I don’t think it’s ever going to get better. I feel so embarrassed.’
Ms Robinson had four veneers fitted on her top front teeth in the UK seven years ago, costing £4,000.
She said: ‘I had a gap in my teeth that I didn’t like so I had veneers and it was successful. The dentist was around the corner if I needed her.’
To get the rest of her teeth to match, she decided to go to Turkey but the dentist she selected did offered only crowns and not veneers.
Veneers are thin coverings bonded to the front of the tooth for the purpose of cosmetic improvement, whereas crowns are thicker and cover the whole tooth, usually to protect weak or damaged teeth.
Ms Robinson hopes sharing her story will encourage others to have surgery in the UK rather than going abroad.
‘I feel like standing outside with a picket telling people not to do it.
‘It’s a nightmare. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever done. I wish someone had called me before I went to tell me not to do it.
‘If anyone else is thinking of going to Turkey to get their teeth done, don’t do it.’
