How Many Days to Plan

When you’ll know how many days to book

Your own count depends on your teeth and on how long the lab needs. Once I have seen your photos and any X-rays, I tell you which range fits you; the examination confirms it, and your written plan lists the appointments.

How many appointments each treatment takes

As a general guide:

Composite veneers

A veneer is a thin porcelain or composite layer that covers the visible front of a tooth. A composite veneer is built up directly on the tooth in tooth-coloured filling material, and it is often finished in one appointment, so plan on 1–2 days. A filling can often be done on the day of the examination (general dentistry).

Porcelain veneers

After the examination you need at least two more appointments. At the first, I prepare the teeth, take impressions and fit temporary veneers. A dental lab outside the clinic then makes the veneers. At the second, I try them on your teeth first and then bond them. In all, porcelain veneers usually take 5–7 working days in Istanbul. The veneers page explains each step.

Crowns

A crown is a cap that covers every side of a tooth. After the examination it usually takes at least two more appointments. At the first, I prepare the tooth and take an impression; a temporary crown protects it while the lab makes the crown. At the second, I try the crown and fit it. As with porcelain veneers, this usually takes 5–7 working days in Istanbul.

Smile makeover

A smile makeover combines several of these treatments, so the number of appointments depends on the mix. With porcelain veneers or crowns in the plan, it is usually 5–7 working days, plus the wait after whitening if the plan includes it (see below).

Implants

An implant is an artificial root placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. The examination, the CBCT scan (a 3D X-ray) and the implant can often all be done on your first trip, which usually takes 3–5 days. If a tooth has to come out first, the implant goes in on the same trip or a later one, depending on the bone. Fusing with the bone usually takes 2–4 months, and the permanent tooth isn’t fitted until the implant has fused, so the second trip is usually 3–4 months later, for 4–7 days. A longer gap between the two trips is usually fine, but we agree it when we plan.

If the bone needs building up first, treatment takes longer. For a gap at the front, a temporary tooth is usually made for the time between trips.

Implant treatment is done with the specialist dentists at Adil Dent; I work on the plan with you. For All-on-4 and All-on-6 the first trip usually takes about a week. The implants page covers the stages.

Planning your days

Don’t put a tooth extraction or implant placement at the very end of your trip. Swelling and soreness are common in the first few days, and if a check is needed it is easier while you are still here. After a straightforward implant or extraction most people can fly within 1–2 days; the dentist who did the procedure checks it and tells you when. After a sinus lift you need to wait longer.

After veneers or crowns are bonded, you may notice that one tooth touches first when you bite. This is usually fixed with a quick adjustment. If you leave a few days between your last appointment and your flight, we can do it here.

If you need several treatments, decay and gum problems are treated first and veneers or crowns come after. I take that into account when I count the appointments. If you are having whitening before veneers or crowns, whitening is done first. I usually wait 1–2 weeks for the colour to settle before bonding veneers or cementing crowns, so whitening is often done on an earlier trip or at the start of a longer stay.

If you want to come in summer, write a few weeks ahead. Transfers and a coordinator can be arranged; mention it in your first message.