Believe it or not, receiving a dental implant is considered surgery. Although it’s not invasive surgery, it is considered surgery, nonetheless. In some cases, a tooth extraction is needed before the implant, with this procedure also considered minor surgery. As all mouths are different both of these procedures can vary in their complexity and recovery. These dental procedures must be done by a professional with extensive experience in this field as well as the specific directions of the manufacturer of the implant itself.
“If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is”
You would never go to a place that advertised “cheap Sushi” as we all know the consequences. Days on/in the toilet and maybe even a trip to the Emergency Room. As such you should never look for the lowest price for a medical procedure without reading the fine print. Many of those from the UK will fly to Turkey for their medical procedure, especially Dental Implants and Hair Transplants, because of the cut rate price. I understand the attraction of a surgical procedure which costs £2,500 as opposed to £10,000 but due diligence is required as well as some common sense.
Case Study of Malpractice in Turkey
“Turkish dental surgeon screwed tooth implant into father’s BRAIN cavity in horrific blunder – then dumped him at a hospital and fled”
The above quote is from an article on the MailOnline website dated April 22, 2024. As sensational and unfathomable as the title is, the article supports this claim. In short, when receiving an implant after a tooth was pulled, the dentist proceeded to insert the implant in the man’s upper jawbone. Because of the force which was exerted the dentist pushed the implant through the jawbone and into the brain.
The dentist then brought the patient to the ER of a nearby hospital where he left the patient while fleeing the scene. The ER surgeons examined the patient and decided surgery was needed to remove the implants. On average the implant body is 2.5mm and the platform is 3.75mm or 4.0mm or even 5mm. Before the surgery the patient was told that there was a chance of death during the surgery because of the serious nature. The surgery was successful although the patient was severely traumatized, and the chances of complications are very high.
Let’s analyze and break down the story
Any implant should be performed by a professional and someone who is trained to perform this procedure. The dentist is said to have been experienced in this type of Oral Surgury, alhtough his performance puts this in question. In many cases there is a 3-month waiting period after a tooth is extracted. This ensures that the bone is healthy enough when the time comes for the implant. X-rays are done to examine the bone density and the health of the region. This was not done in this case.
“Following examinations there, I was informed that my bone structure was delicate, my teeth were loose”.
Focusing on the word “delicate” in this quote provides a glimpse into background of this patient. In most cases you would not try to insert an implant into a delicate jawbone which has many loose teeth. This is usually an indication of an unhealthy jawbone and one that needs time to heal and recover.
“As he attempted to place the screw, I noticed he was exerting excessive force.
‘I pointed this out to him, mentioning that I heard a bone-cracking sound.
However, he reassured me that it was normal.
But as he continued to force the screw, it pierced through my jawbone and into the area behind the eye where the brain and spinal fluid are located.”
I’ve had implants and teeth removed as an adult and because I have a very healthy and strong jawbone, force has been used to remove the teeth and insert the implant. Unfortunately, this patient had a compromised jawbone which should have not needed excessive force. As such the force in which the dentist was exerting pushed the implant screw through the upper jawbone and into the patient’s brain.
What other malpractice did the Dentist commit?
Thankfully the dentist had enough smarts to bring his patient to the Emergency Room, although he did not stick around. When any patient arrives at the ER they are immediately accessed by the medical staff. In some cases the staff does not have any background information of what lead up to the emergency. The Dentist could have provided valuable information regarding the emergency such as the length and type of implant, exact location of implant, condition of the jawbone, medication administered to the patient, and other issues. But because he fled the Doctors in the ER not fully briefed on the emergency.
Was the Surgery successful?
Fortunately, the surgery to remove the implant was successful. Looking at the X-rays of the implant in the brain and post-surgery images of the patient, it would be easy to think that the damage was permanent and possibly fatal. There were a lot of opportunities for the dentist to stop the chain of “mishaps” for this patient, but at every opportunity the dentist just seemed to do his best to make it worse.
To add insult to injury the patient was refused a refund from the dentist and was told the incident was caused ‘due to a medical complication’, which I must say is the understatement of the year. The patient has decided to take legal action most likely to get a refund and money for pain and suffering. Regardless of what he gets I’m confident this is something that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Are there alternatives to going to Turkey for Dental/Medical Procedures?
Although this patient was from Turkey and it makes sense that he went to a dentist in Turkey, many people from Western Europe and the UK head to Turkey for various medical procedures. The reason for this is the difference in price from what it would cost in their home country. Whether it’s a Hair Transplant, Oral Surgery, or Plastic Surgery, there is usually a 70% reduction in the cost. At first glance this seems to be a great deal, but if you conduct a bit of due diligence, you will see that there are some issues as well as some better alternatives.
Consider being a patient from the UK and the above “mishap” happens to you in Turkey, what would be some of the biggest issues? Communication, Cultural Differences, Legal Differences, Distance from Home, and a host of other problems. The mental trauma would be almost as bad as the physical trauma. If you are a reader of the UK Media Outlets, I’m confident that you’ve heard of these type of stories through “celebrities” trying to save a few £s.
What are the best alternatives for Inexpensive Dental Procedures?
Funny you should ask! As a patient from the UK and Western Europe the best option for an affordable and for highly professional treatment is going to Budapest, Hungary. In past 20 years Hungary has become a hub for all sorts of Medical Procedures and a place which is not only cost friendly but done in a controlled professional setting.
Unlike Turkey, Hungary is a member of the EU (European Union) and must abide by all the regulations and requirements which are required for all other members. The legal requirements are standard through the EU which provides you with recourse in case a medical procedure goes unexpectedly. You will not be lost in the bureaucracy of a country which is unfamiliar at best and will have the rights which you would expect from an EU country.
Our dental team in Budapest understand the anxiety in going to the dentist, especially in an unfamiliar country. We are a combination of a dental clinic and “tourism” agency which will guarantee that all of your needs are met. If you are interested a quote or just speaking with one of our staff, please contact us at your convenience to start your treatment at a professional and affordable clinic.