“Cosmetic dentist” is a description, not a title

Search for veneers in Türkiye and you will meet a lot of “cosmetic dentists”, “aesthetic specialists” and “smile designers”. Some are excellent. But none of those labels is an official qualification. Türkiye’s recognised dental specialities do not include cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry. So the label tells you what the dentist wants to be known for, not how they trained.

Who actually does cosmetic work

In practice, smile makeovers in Türkiye are done by general dentists, restorative dentists and prosthodontists. Some general dentists have done many courses in aesthetic work and do it every day. Some specialists rarely do veneers. The title on the register is a starting point; experience is the rest.

What to look at instead of the label

• Register title and branch. Check on HealthTürkiye. Restorative Dentistry or Prosthodontics as a branch shows relevant specialist training.
• Training you can check. Dental school and year, plus named courses or postgraduate study.
• A planning process. Photos, measurements, a digital design and, ideally, a mock-up in your mouth.
• Written detail. Veneers or crowns, material, laboratory, how much tooth is removed.
• A written guarantee that says what is and is not covered.

Be careful with galleries and social media

Before-and-after photos are chosen by the clinic. They are often taken on the day of fitting, under perfect lighting, before any problems have had time to appear. They do not show the teeth that were filed down underneath. Use galleries to judge style (natural or very white), not quality. Our guide to reading patient reviews covers similar pitfalls.

A natural result needs your face, not a template

Good aesthetic dentists plan teeth around your face: your lip line, the width of your smile, your age and skin tone. Very white, very uniform teeth can look striking in a photo and odd in real life, especially for older patients. Ask the dentist what shade and shape they recommend and why.

Questions to ask a cosmetic dentist

1. What is your title and branch on the register?
2. How many smile makeovers have you done in the last year?
3. Will I see a mock-up before you prepare my teeth?
4. Which of my teeth need crowns, which veneers, and which nothing?
5. What happens if a veneer chips or comes off at home?

Courses, certificates and societies

Many cosmetic dentists list courses and memberships on their profiles: weekend courses on veneers, certificates from material manufacturers, memberships of aesthetic dentistry societies. These can show real interest and effort. They are not the same as a specialist qualification. Some memberships simply require a fee. When you see a long list, ask which courses involved hands-on treatment of patients, and how many cases the dentist has done since.

Materials matter as much as the dentist

The same dentist can produce very different results with different materials and laboratories. Ask:

• Are the veneers or crowns porcelain (for example lithium disilicate) or zirconia, or composite?
• Are they layered by hand in a laboratory, or milled in one piece?
• Is the laboratory in the clinic, in the same city, or elsewhere?

Hand-finished porcelain tends to look more natural at the front of the mouth; zirconia is stronger and often used further back. A good dentist will explain why they chose what they chose for you.

The guarantee is part of the decision

Ask what the guarantee covers: a veneer that comes off, one that chips, one that changes colour. Ask whether you have to return to Türkiye to use it, and who pays for the flight. A clear written guarantee is a sign the clinic expects its work to last.

When to walk away

• The dentist will not tell you, before treatment, which of your teeth will be crowned.
• Every tooth is to be treated, including healthy back teeth that do not show.
• There is no examination before the plan is fixed.
• You are offered a discount for deciding the same day.

What the UK says about cosmetic dentistry

In the UK, cosmetic dental treatment is generally private. The NHS explains that its dental charges cover treatment that is clinically necessary, and Band 3 covers items such as crowns and bridges when they are needed. Veneers purely to improve appearance are not usually provided on the NHS. That is one reason so many people look abroad. It also means you are buying a consumer service, so read the terms, keep receipts and know what the guarantee covers.

Teeth whitening is a dental treatment

The NHS page on teeth whitening explains that whitening should be done by a dentist or another registered dental professional, and that it does not change the colour of crowns, veneers, fillings or dentures. If a cosmetic plan in Türkiye includes whitening, ask who carries it out and whether it is done before any veneers are matched.

Comparing two cosmetic dentists

Fill it in from each dentist’s profile and answers. The comparison often makes the choice obvious.

Dentists in this guide who list aesthetic work

Several dentists here state aesthetic dentistry in their field of work: in Fethiye, Dt. Gürkan Bal and Dt. Betül Kaya Kölemen, both registered in Restorative Dentistry; in Izmir, Dr. Şükrü Mert Yüce, a PhD prosthodontist who lists cosmetic dentistry, and Dr. Dt. Meral Nizam, who lists smile design. Each profile links to its source.

A worked example: two cosmetic dentists compared

Suppose dentist A has a polished website, a large social media following and the title “aesthetic specialist”, but no dental school or year on their profile. Dentist B has a plainer profile listing their dental school, graduation year, registration in the Restorative Dentistry branch and a list of hands-on courses. On paper, B is easier to check. That does not mean A is worse, but you would need to ask A for the same information before you could compare them fairly.

Signs of a careful cosmetic dentist

• Asks what you dislike about your smile before suggesting anything.
• Looks at your gums and bite, not just the colour.
• Suggests the least invasive option that will meet your goals.
• Shows you a mock-up and lets you change it.
• Gives you the plan, materials and guarantee in writing.

Your next steps

1. For each cosmetic dentist you are considering, find their register title and branch on HealthTürkiye.
2. Look on the clinic website for their dental school, year and any named aesthetic training.
3. Fill in the comparison table above for two or three dentists.
4. Ask each for a tooth-by-tooth plan and whether they offer a mock-up.
5. Ask for the guarantee terms before you pay a deposit.

Our cosmetic dentists page has dentists who already publish most of this.

Above all, remember that cosmetic work on healthy teeth is a choice, not a necessity. That gives you time to compare dentists properly and to choose the one who will take the least away from your natural teeth.

Dentists we have checked

Our cosmetic dentists page lists dentists who publish aesthetic, restorative or smile-design work. Our top pick, Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek of Precious Dental, publishes this guide and focuses on implants and prosthetics; his clinic offers veneers with a published written guarantee.

Common questions

Is there an aesthetic dentistry qualification in Turkey?

Not as a recognised speciality. There are courses and memberships of aesthetic dentistry societies, which can be useful, but they are not a specialist title.

Does a big Instagram following mean a good dentist?

No. Social media shows selected results. Ask for written plans and check the dentist on the register.

What makes a good smile makeover?

A plan based on your face and bite, a mock-up before preparation, minimal tooth removal and good materials.

Should I choose a prosthodontist for a smile makeover?

For large cases or bite changes, a prosthodontist is a strong choice. For simpler cases, an experienced restorative or general dentist can be fine.

Sources

1. HealthTürkiye: health professionals
2. Oral Health Foundation: going abroad for dental treatment
3. NHS: understanding NHS dental charges
4. NHS: teeth whitening

Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.