Love Island has, since its relaunch in 2015, become one of the UK's most-watched reality programmes. But alongside the drama and romance, the show has driven one of the most significant cultural conversations about cosmetic dentistry in recent British history — and Turkey has been at the centre of it.
The Love Island Smile Phenomenon
Series after series, viewers notice that contestants arrive or return from Casa Amor with noticeably transformed teeth. The phrase "turkey teeth" entered mainstream British vocabulary largely through Love Island and its surrounding press coverage. By 2019–2020, it had become shorthand for any dramatic dental transformation, particularly veneers or crowns placed abroad.
The term carries both positive and negative connotations. In media coverage, it is sometimes used to describe overcorrected, too-white results. In reality, the term says more about the patient's choice of clinic and treatment brief than the country of treatment itself.
What Treatments Are Involved?
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front surface of existing teeth. They correct colour, shape, minor alignment issues, and gaps. E.max ultra-thin veneers require minimal tooth preparation and are reversible in some cases. Standard veneers require slightly more enamel removal for a reliable bond.
Hollywood Smile (Full Crowns)
The more dramatic transformations associated with the Love Island look typically involve full-coverage zirconia crowns rather than veneers. Crowns cap the entire tooth and allow for more dramatic shape and shade changes. They are used when teeth are heavily filled, worn, or when the patient specifically requests an intense white result.
Professional Whitening
Many contestants use professional whitening — either LED-activated in-clinic whitening or custom take-home trays — to brighten natural teeth without any preparation. This is the least invasive option and appropriate for patients who have naturally good alignment but want a whiter smile.
The "Turkey Teeth" Debate: Stigma vs Reality
Media coverage of "turkey teeth" has created a perception that dental work in Turkey is inherently low quality or risky. The reality is more nuanced. Problems reported in UK media — teeth falling off, severe sensitivity, nerve damage — are not caused by Turkey per se. They are caused by under-qualified providers, inadequate clinical assessment, and inappropriate treatment planning. These problems exist in UK private dentistry too, particularly in high-volume budget clinics.
The relevant variable is the clinic, not the country. A TEMOS-accredited Istanbul clinic using European-certified materials and employing dentists trained to international standards delivers outcomes equivalent to UK private dentistry — at a fraction of the cost.
Good Outcomes vs Poor Outcomes: What Makes the Difference?
The difference between a transformation that looks natural and one that looks overdone comes down to three factors: treatment planning, material choice, and shade selection. At Bergedent, all smile makeover cases begin with digital smile design — a software-generated preview of the final result that the patient approves before any tooth preparation begins. Shade is selected collaboratively, and the clinical team will advise against shades that appear unnatural for the patient's complexion and facial features.
Ultra-thin E.max veneers with minimal preparation are the preferred option for patients who want a natural-looking improvement. For patients who specifically request a bolder, higher-contrast result, zirconia is used — but the aesthetic outcome is always reviewed and approved at the temporary stage before final placement.
The 2024–2026 Trend: Beyond Reality TV
The demographic seeking dental treatment in Turkey has broadened significantly beyond the reality TV audience. UK young professionals in their 20s and 30s — nurses, teachers, marketing managers — are increasingly choosing Istanbul for smile makeovers, citing cost savings of 60–80% compared to UK private rates. The NHS does not cover cosmetic dentistry at all. At £700–1,200 per veneer in London, a ten-tooth smile makeover can easily cost £8,000–12,000. The same treatment in Istanbul costs £2,000–4,000 complete.
Bergedent's Approach to Smile Makeovers
Bergedent has been treating UK patients since 1989 and holds TEMOS accreditation for health tourism quality standards. All smile makeover cases are planned using digital smile design with patient sign-off at each stage. Materials are European-certified E.max or Zirconia. The clinic provides a written aftercare protocol and five-year implant guarantee.
A complete smile makeover costs £2,000–4,000 at Bergedent depending on the number of teeth and material chosen. Treatment takes 5–7 days including consultation, temporaries, and final placement.
FAQ
Do Love Island contestants get their teeth done in Turkey?
Many Love Island contestants and UK reality TV personalities have chosen Turkey for cosmetic dental work, citing 60–80% cost savings compared to UK prices. The trend has grown significantly since 2019, with Istanbul emerging as the primary destination.
Why do people get "Turkey teeth" (veneers in Turkey)?
The cost savings are significant: veneers that cost £700–1,200 per tooth in the UK cost £250–350 in Istanbul. Modern Turkish clinics like Bergedent use the same European-certified materials (E.max, Zirconia) with equivalent clinical standards.
Are veneers in Turkey safe?
At accredited clinics — yes. The key is choosing a TEMOS-accredited practice with an experienced dentist. Problems reported in media typically come from under-qualified providers, not the country itself. Bergedent has treated thousands of UK patients with excellent outcomes.
Get Your Smile Assessment
Share your photos with our team and receive a free clinical assessment within 24 hours.