In Love With the Love Island Smile? Read This.
The latest cosmetic trend of “Turkey teeth,” also known as the Love Island Smile, thanks to the popular reality show Love Island, has seen thousands of Britons travel abroad for drastic cut-price dental work. Unfortunately, many return with painful and costly complications. The procedure involves filing down teeth to pegs and then replacing them with crowns or veneers, leaving patients with a Hollywood smile. This trend has been fueled on social media under the hashtag #Turkeyteeth, which has millions of views and is popular among stars like model Katie Price and of course, cast members from Love Island.
Unfortunately, many people are now facing serious dental issues as a result of this cosmetic treatment, such as infections, abscesses, and other painful complications, due to the cheap treatment they received abroad in their quest for the perfect smile.
Many UK dentists are warning that they will not touch teeth that have been treated overseas, leaving many people in need of remedial work at their own expense. The National Health Service in the United Kingdom is paying for repairs for some of those affected by this trend, but it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure people are aware of the risks associated with seeking out cheaper treatments abroad.
What Is Dental Tourism?
Dental tourism is a growing trend, with people traveling abroad to receive dental treatments at a fraction of the cost they would pay in their home country. This can be attractive for those who are unable to afford expensive treatments in their own country or for those who want to combine a holiday with some dental work. However, there are risks associated with this type of tourism, as many countries do not have the same standards of dental care as the UK or the United States.
Dental tourism happens in the U.S., too, with people traveling to Mexico or other countries for cheaper treatments.
The Love Island Smile trend is a dangerous one, as it encourages people to seek out cheap treatments abroad without being aware of the risks associated with this type of dental tourism. People should be aware that there are potential complications and that they may not be able to get their teeth fixed if something goes wrong. It is also important for people to remember that a good smile is not just about having perfect teeth but also about taking care of their oral health.
Also, cheaper isn’t always better. The truth is that it may end up costing you more in the long run.
What Is the Love Island Smile?
The Love Island Smile involves filing down teeth to pegs and replacing them with crowns or veneers, leaving patients with a Hollywood-style smile. The process is so popular because it is very fast, and if you go overseas, it’s very cheap.
While the immediate result is a bright, white and even smile, losing a significant amount of your natural tooth isn’t ideal. And the Love Island Smile can leave you hurting later in life. You may even experience pain, jaw problems and tooth loss.
Is this drastic approach necessary for a beautiful smile?
No.
An experienced and well-trained dentist skilled in the application of porcelain veneers does not need to remove that much tooth enamel to update your smile. In fact, in most cases, only about 1mm of your tooth’s surface is impacted.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They can be used to correct a variety of cosmetic issues, such as discoloration, chips, gaps, and misalignment. Veneers are also more durable than crowns, and they look more natural.
During the veneer process, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and then create a custom-made veneer to fit your mouth. As we mentioned, a tiny bit of your enamel is removed to allow the veneer to adhere to your teeth. The veneer is then bonded to the front of your tooth, giving you a beautiful and natural-looking smile.
Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Unlike the Love Island Smile that many are going abroad to get, veneers placed by a professional will last many years with proper care.
In conclusion, the Love Island Smile trend is not necessarily bad, but it does come with risks that should be taken into consideration. People should be aware of the potential complications and should always consult with a professional before undergoing any dental treatment. Porcelain veneers are a safer and more natural-looking alternative to the Love Island Smile, and they can last many years.