45% of people worldwide need orthodontic treatment, and 25% of them are adults. The dentistry market now presents various options — from rigid metal braces to completely invisible braces. However, the cost of dental services remains exorbitant for many dental seekers.
The Bookimed team have researched and processed the most frequent requests of their foreign patients and have determined that Turkey is now the leader in the installation of braces due to low prices and excellent care. More than 800,000 medical tourists come to Turkey for medical treatment every year. And their number is constantly growing. In this article, we will tell everything you need to know about dental braces in Turkey.
About Dental Braces
Braces are a set of small locks attached to your teeth' front surface and connected with a metal arc to each other. This arc is made of a special nickel-titanium alloy that has shape memory. Due to this feature, the teeth move in the right direction. Initially, the desired shape is set to the metal arc, and when it is fixed on the teeth, the arch begins to align the teeth, tending to the desired shape.
Types of Dental Treatment with Braces in Turkey
In Turkey, dentists offer their patients unique braces made of transparent polymer material or braces that are installed on the inside of the teeth. The advantage of such bracket systems is a longer service life to achieve good results. However, such designs are in high demand.
Doctors also use other bracket systems. Let's take a look at what types of braces Turkish doctors apply.
Metal braces
Metal braces consist of several elements (locks, rings, etc.) that are attached to the teeth and unite them into a single system helping to achieve the desired result.
The metal braces apparatus is considered the cheapest one. At the same time, it is not inferior in quality to other models. However, it is more noticeable while you are wearing it. This oldest and most miniature aesthetic version of dental braces is still actively used and will not give up its position.
The advantage of the metal braces system is the minimum friction force between the groove and the arc.
Types of metal braces in Turkey
- Self-ligating or non-ligating dental metal braces. Their design is a little more complicated than traditional ones, but the use of non-ligature metal braces eliminates the need for periodic replacement of ligatures. So visits to the orthodontist will be a little less frequent, which is especially important for busy or distant patients.
- Gold metal braces. They do not differ from traditional ones in functionality; outwardly, they look more unconventional and emphasize the individuality and status of the owner. In addition to gold metal brackets, some companies also produce gold orthodontic arches to make the bracket system completely gold. Thus, this type of metal braces solve the problem of allergy sufferers since gold is a biologically neutral material.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic dental braces are the most expensive and one of the most inconspicuous types of bracket systems. All ceramic models can be divided into polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Polycrystalline braces are matte and only partially transparent.
Ceramic brackets are trendy in our time. Most international patients prefer this type of brackets, as they are more aesthetic than, for example, metal braces. They are matched to the color of your teeth, so they look natural and are barely visible. Ceramic systems adhere very well to the teeth and do not irritate the gums.
Despite all these benefits, wearing braces of this type has some disadvantages too:
- dental health care with ceramic braces is a longer process
- they are more expensive
- compared to metal braces, they are larger in size
- ceramic braces are resistant to food dyes, but the ligatures are still stained (keep in mind that the problem of staining ligatures is not so serious, because ligatures are changed during each visit to the orthodontist)
- ceramic models cause higher friction between the bracket groove and the archwire
- patients face more unpleasant removal of this type of dental braces from the tooth enamel.
However, some people find that ceramic braces are more comfortable and less irritating to the gums than metal braces, but this is more related to a psychological effect.
Sapphire braces
Sapphire braces are vestibular (i.e., outward-facing) braces made from artificially grown sapphire crystals. This type of bracket systems is transparent and very durable. The advantage of these braces is that they do not accumulate plaque and are not subject to staining.
Doctors recommend: if you have very light teeth, prefer sapphire braces, as they are transparent. If your teeth are darker, it is better to choose ceramic braces.
Sapphire braces are becoming more and more popular among other braces, mainly because, like lingual models, they are invisible to others. At the same time, caring for them is less time-consuming than for lingual ones, and their cost is lower. Besides, they do not cause speech problems and foreign-body sensations in the mouth.
Ceramic and sapphire brackets have a lot of friction between the bracket groove and the arc along which the bracket must move so that the bite normalization process will be a little slower than with traditional metal braces. Some manufacturers cover the bracket groove with metal, achieving greater effectiveness in orthodontic treatment. But at the same time, braces become more visible.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are installed on the inside of the teeth, so their main advantage is that they are generally invisible when smiling. Lingual braces are also manufactured with a wide range of materials: metal, ceramics, and gold.
The disadvantages of this type of braces include speech problems within the first 2 weeks after the installation of braces, long treatment period, and more advanced requirements for oral care.
Combination of different types of dental braces
When choosing braces, most patients are often guided by financial issues. Fortunately, various combinations of the systems are possible. This dental treatment approach can significantly change the overall dental braces cost in Turkey.
It is possible to install ceramic braces only on the front teeth or only on the upper jaw, where they are most noticeable, and place metal braces on all other teeth.
It is also possible to place a lingual model only on the upper jaw and conventional ceramic braces on the lower jaw. This will reduce the overall cost of getting braces in Turkey, and it will be easier to get used to lingual dental braces on one jaw.
Retainers
After the active phase of dental braces treatments, the therapeutic period isn't over yet. Dentists remove the bracket system and fix the teeth in the ideal position with the help of special devices — retainers.
These devices fix the position of the teeth. They are removable (plates, mouthguards, etc.) and non-removable (wires, springs, etc.). Dentists prefer to apply non-removable types and fix them on the inner surface of the teeth. The wearing retainer stage is no less important than the main period of orthodontic treatments as it helps avoid tooth movement.
The teeth, after the braces work, remain mobile for some time. So if the patient neglects wearing retainers, the teeth can return to their original places. It is usually considered that the duration of the retention period should be equal to one or two dental health care periods with the bracket system.
How Much Are Braces in Turkey?
The dental braces cost in Turkey starts from $600 — at least 70% lower than in American or European dental clinics. However, the lower prices do not mean poor quality: Turkish specialists have vast experience and use high-quality dental materials. The average cost of braces in Turkey is between $1,000 and $2,000.
Dental braces cost in Turkey vs. other countries
|
Turkey |
USA |
Canada |
Mexico |
Thailand |
UK |
|
from $600 |
from $3,000 |
from $3,000 |
from $1,000 |
from $1,200 |
from $1,800 |
The braces price in Turkey, and other countries given in this table is approximate. The final expenses depend on the current exchange rate, the braces type, and the internal price policy in the particular clinic.
Package prices for dental braces in Turkey
The hot deals or so-called packages are a factor that dramatically cuts the teeth braces cost in Turkey. The local dental clinics provide cheap dental braces packages for overseas customers. A single price covers the placement of braces itself and all the extra procedures that may be necessary. However, these offers are typically time-limited, and you have to hurry up to book the best one.
Braces packages in Turkey usually include:
- Braces installation
- Professional oral hygiene
- Language assistance
- Panoramic X-ray
- Consultation with a dentist.
Please note that this list is approximate. The number of procedures in the package may vary depending on the clinic.
Which Country Is Cheapest for Braces?
Sometimes people think that teeth straightening in countries with affordable prices can be a sign poor quality or cheating. However, this statement is not valid. The low cost of teeth treatment in some countries is explained by the internal pricing policy within each state and the local citizens' income. So Bookimed experts have researched the dental care market and chosen the three most affordable and high-quality countries to get braces.
Turkey
Braces in Turkey are one of the most demanded requests from patients in half of the world. IMTJ estimates that around 850,000 people choose Turkey for their medical care yearly — around 2,500 individuals daily! Low prices, all-inclusive packages, and high dental treatments levels make Turkey the most popular country for braces, with European and the Middle East inhabitants. However, the country became renowned also among Americans. The average braces cost in Turkey is approximately $1,500, which is 70% lower than in European, American, or Middle Eastern dental centers.
Mexico
Mexico is the top dental destination worldwide. About 1 million American patients choose Mexican dental braces treatment facilities each year. The country is extremely popular for bracket systems installation with Americans and Canadians due to its comfortable location and reasonable costs of crooked teeth straightening. The average expenses for braces placement in the local dental centers are around $2,000 — 60-65% lower than in the USA or Canada.
Thailand
Thailand is recognized as the leading medical tourism destination in the world, with 1.8 healthcare seekers annually. The country is the most popular place for dental care with patients from the USA, Europe, the UAE, Canada, and Australia, where the costs of teeth procedures are much higher than in Thailand. The average braces price in Thailand is $1,500, which is 50% lower than in the United States or the United Kingdom. Thai dental clinics are also world-renowned for high-quality care, and the latest technologies use that, which makes them even more famous for such an affordable price.
How Can I Get Braces Done in Turkey?
If you are interested in getting braces in Turkey, you can make the following steps:
- Compare the offers for braces indifferent Turkish medical centers.
- Choose one or several places where you want to get the procedure.
- Submit a request on the Bookimed website.
- Our medical coordinator will contact you and answer all the questions.
- Be ready to send the photos of your teeth to the clinic you like the most to get a detailed response on the most appropriate treatment options.
- Bookimed manager receives the personalized treatment plans for you.
- Schedule the date of the procedure and arrange your trip together with the Bookimed coordinator.
Note! Bookimed services are free for a patient.
Can You Get Braces Abroad?
You can get braces in any country you want. However, before choosing the right place, you should consider some criteria. Since every situation differs, there are no general guidelines for determining which state is the best place to get braces. However, consider the following factors before making a final decision:
- Your specific needs. Each patient selects the most appropriate dental center according to personal preferences. It may be the cost, the clinic's reputation, a particular doctor, or just the clinic's location. Some international patients prefer to combine their dental treatments with vacation, so they decide to have braces in Turkey, Mexico, or some other exotic countries.
- Accessibility. Sometimes the convenient location of the country, especially if it is in the neighborhood of their native one, can be a decisive factor in choosing a place for getting straight teeth. Many Americans choose Mexico as the most suitable country for teeth straightening.
- Price. This is a decisive criterion for many dental seekers since insurance does not cover orthodontic care. Due to the low costs, Turkey is a global leader. In addition to the affordable prices, the local clinics also offer dental packages that help save even more. Not all countries have such proposals.