A 41-year-old woman, Leanne Abeyance, is living in constant pain and is unable to breathe through her nose after dental work in Turkey leaves her with a collapsed septum, infections, and damaged implants. This story highlights the serious risks of botched dental work abroad — especially when it involves implant procedures, such as bone grafts, sinus lifts, and the use of permanent versus temporary teeth.
What exactly happened after the dental work in Turkey left this woman in constant pain?
Leanne Abeyance traveled to Antalya, Turkey, in April 2024 to replace her veneers and undergo implant work, including a sinus lift and bone graft, as she was quoted a very high cost in the UK. The initial cost was approximately £3,000 in cash upfront. The treatment involved removing her existing veneers and placing implants. She was given temporary teeth while awaiting her permanent teeth.
Soon after, Leanne says things deteriorated: she had severe pain and swelling, she couldn’t eat or sleep, and after returning to the UK, she was unable to breathe through her nose. Implants were found to be piercing her nose and sinuses, causing infection. The septum has collapsed, and despite antibiotics, the infection continued. Her temporary teeth were removed, and dentures were fitted, but the damage and pain persisted.
What are implants, sinus lifts, and bone grafts, and how are they supposed to work?
Implant: Dental implants are posts (often titanium) surgically placed into the jawbone to act as roots for permanent teeth. They require sufficient bone to support the implant.
Bone graft: If the jaw doesn’t have enough bone (due to prior tooth loss, gum disease, or resorption), a bone graft uses donor or synthetic material to rebuild bone volume so that the implant has sufficient support.
Sinus lift: Also called a sinus augmentation. When placing implants in the upper jaw at the back, there might not be enough bone above the sinus cavity. A sinus lift raises the sinus membrane and adds bone graft material to provide enough height for implants.
In properly performed procedures:
- The patient is evaluated for bone thickness and sinus anatomy (via imaging, e.g., 3D scans).
- Local or general anaesthetic is used, possibly sedation, to minimize pain.
- Healing phases include waiting for grafts to integrate (osseointegration), then placing the implant, and then fitting permanent teeth.
What went wrong — causes of collapse, infection, and implant failure?
In Leanne’s case, multiple failures contributed:
- The implants were placed improperly, piercing her sinuses and nose.
- The bone graft and sinus lift appear to have either been insufficient or improperly executed. She felt hammering sensations and severe pain during the procedure, and swelling and bruising afterwards.
- Temporary teeth were installed, but fear and complications prevented her from going back to get the permanent teeth.
- Infection persisted: she was prescribed antibiotics, but they didn’t resolve the problem. She now has ongoing sinusitis, infections, facial swelling, and daily prescription drugs.
- Septum collapse: the cartilage/bone separating the nostrils has collapsed, making breathing through the nose difficult or impossible. The NHS (National Health Service) deemed that part cosmetic and refused to treat it.
What are the health risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic dental procedures?
Travelling abroad for dental work, especially complex implant-based procedures, carries grave risks:
- Variation in standards: Not all clinics abroad maintain the same sterilization, training, and surgical protocols as those in places like NYC, NJ, Long Island & Westchester.
- Poor aftercare: If complications arise after returning home (such as infection, implant failure, sinus issues, or collapse), follow-up care may be limited or costly.
- Risk of infection, swelling, pain, inability to eat or sleep, as seen in Leanne’s case.
- Increased chance of anatomical complications: piercing sinuses, damaging nerves, collapsing septum, and facial collapse.
- Financial risk: what seems cheap abroad may cost far more in total when factoring in corrective work, travel expenses, lost work, and ongoing medical costs.
What recourse does a patient have when a private dentist or overseas clinic fails?
- Seek immediate care from a local private dentist: imaging (X-rays, CT scans) can reveal where implants are placed and the extent of any damage.
- Contact local health authorities or regulatory bodies in the country where the clinic is based; some may have oversight over dental clinics.
- Consult with the local healthcare providers to determine whether treatment can be considered necessary (not just cosmetic), thereby increasing the likelihood of funding or intervention. In Leanne’s case, the NHS denied repairing the collapsed septum, citing it as a cosmetic issue.
- Keep detailed records: receipts, photographs, and medical reports. It may be needed if legal action or insurance claims are considered.
- Possibly seek specialist surgeons (ENT, maxillofacial) for complex issues like septum collapse and facial infection.
How can you safely get dental implants, whether locally or abroad?
To minimize risk:
- Select clinics with a good reputation, certified surgeons, verified credentials, and positive patient reviews.
- Ensure full diagnostic imaging (3D scans, CBCT) to assess bone health, sinus position, and nerve locations.
- Ask about the entire procedure beforehand, including bone grafts, sinus lifts, temporary teeth, permanent teeth, and a cost breakdown.
- Clarify what aftercare is included, as well as what happens if an infection or complications arise.
- Consider having treatment locally in our locations at NYC, NJ, Long Island & Westchester, where standards, legal protections, and emergency care are more accessible.
Why consider dental tourism, and what are the risks vs benefits?
Potential benefits:
- Lower cost: many people travel abroad because the cost of implant procedures can be much higher locally.
- Cosmetic appeal: Getting a “perfect smile” or veneer repairs may be more affordable overseas.
Risks:
- As we see in the case of Leanne, the risks include severe pain, swelling, botched dental work, infection, inability to breathe, collapse, and permanent damage.
- Hidden costs: travel, accommodation, correcting complications, lost work.
- Regulatory differences: distant legal recourse may be limited.
- Psychological impact: facial swelling, loss of function, disfigurement, and mental health consequences.
What does All-on-Four Dental Implant Centers recommend?
At All-on-Four Dental Implant Centers in New York and New Jersey, we frequently encounter patients who have considered or undergone overseas procedures and later required corrective care. The risks of traveling abroad for cosmetic procedures can outweigh the initial savings, especially with complex implant treatments involving sinus lifts, bone grafts, or permanent teeth replacements.
We encourage anyone conscious about cost to come in for a free consultation before making a decision. Our specialists will provide a detailed treatment plan, including advanced imaging and clear explanations of every step—from temporary teeth to permanent restoration.
By speaking with us first, you can compare the actual risks and rewards of going abroad versus receiving safe, reliable care locally. With us, you’ll benefit from:
- Highly trained implant specialists
- State-of-the-art technology, including full 3D imaging
- Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
- Ongoing aftercare close to home in NY & NJ
If you’re considering dental tourism or have concerns about previous treatment overseas, schedule your free consultation today or call us at (877) 440-3564. Let us help you make the safest and most cost-effective choice for your health and smile.