Alana Boone, 26, had longed to fix her teeth and eventually chose to go to a dental surgery in Turkey – but now she has no teeth
A woman has spoken out after a botched surgery in Turkey left her without teeth.
Alana Boone had longed to fix her teeth, but wasn’t sure where to go. Her mum’s friend eventually set her up with a dentist in Turkey. The 26-year-old booked herself in to have crowns – a tooth-shaped cap. She was initially quoted £5,600 for the entire treatment plan.
After booking flights and a hotel, she ended up splashing out £8,400. However, Alana now says she has been left without any teeth, after having to have a corrective procedure after the botched surgery.
The HR professional said: “I hope people see my story as a warning because unfortunately, I didn’t have one. After advice from several dentists, I went to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to ask his opinion on my situation.
“His verdict was clear; everything had to come out.”
Alana, from Gavere in Belgium, says she first contacted the dental practice in January 2021. She claims to have discussed her treatment plan via social media.
She then says she sent photos of her teeth to the dentists. On July 26, the process started – starting with grinding all of her real teeth down. Alana said that she then started to experience pain the very next day.
She said: “It was then decided that my teeth had to be devitalised [which is removing the diseased dental pulp from inside the tooth]. Of course, this entailed extra costs [and two days later] my permanent crowns were placed.
“I shouted and screamed because it hurt so much.”
She says the pain persisted when she travelled home on August 1, worsening in the coming days. Alana then started to feel “grooves” in her mouth, coupled with a “nasty” taste.
After much back and forth with the dentist in Turkey, she visited a local practice for a second opinion. It was there they confirmed the treatment was a “complete failure”.
It left Alana with three options costing between £22,800 and £37,800. Since April 2024, she has been toothless and has had eight implants out of 12 placed.
And while not completely pain free, Alana is “relieved” the “botched” work has now been removed. Although she still has a long road to recovery.
It is hoped her treatment will finally be completed in July next year. She now hopes her story can act as a warning to other people.
She added: “Think twice before choosing dentistry abroad. If it goes wrong, you have to solve the problem in your own country and often, you’ll end up paying three times as much.
“This situation has had a major impact; not only are my teeth gone, but my quality of life has also suffered. I miss being able to eat well and smile broadly.
“This is really starting to take its toll, but I will keep going.”
