Liz Jones is a British journalist who has written for the Daily Mail and Saga. In January 2025 she travelled to Istanbul and had her teeth treated at Dentakay over two days. She has been open about why. Damage that began decades ago, and a dental system at home she could no longer get into. "When I was in my teens and twenties, because of my eating problem, it really badly affected my teeth."
Why she came to Turkey
Her reason wasn't cosmetic ambition. It was access. "I can't get an NHS dentist where I live, and it will take years in the UK to train new dentists. So until that happens, you have to come here." That experience isn't unusual. Millions of people in the UK cannot register with an NHS dentist, and the workforce shortage behind it won't resolve quickly.
Read also : Can you get dental implants on the NHS?
What was actually done
Liz was treated over two days, 24 and 25 January 2025, in a single visit to Istanbul.
Day one
- 22 zirconia crowns — twelve in the upper jaw, ten in the lower
- Four gingivectomies — reshaping the gum line on the upper premolars and molars so the new crowns would sit in correct proportion
- Two composite fillings — on the lower second molars, which didn't need crowning
Day two
- Three connective tissue grafts — on the lower canines and a lower incisor, rebuilding gum tissue where it had receded
Two teeth were deliberately left uncrowned and restored with fillings instead. Not every tooth in a case like this needs covering, and the ones that don't, shouldn't.
Before and after
The before images show what years of wear had done: recession along the lower gum line, dark margins at the edges of older restorations, and shade mismatch between old work and natural teeth. The grafting addressed the recession; the crowns addressed everything above it.
What she says was different
"The biggest difference between Dentakay and an NHS, even a private dentist in the UK, is you have a team around you. They take their time, and all the technology — the 3D head scans, the probes, the digital imagery. You just feel you've got a whole team looking after you, and they're such perfectionists. Every tiny detail, they don't miss."
The result
"I've spent my whole life going like this" — she covers her mouth — "but now I don't feel I have to hide my mouth." "It's the best decision I've ever made."
She also liked the city.
"Istanbul is so beautiful. My favourite experience is the Grand Bazaar — all the spices and the colours, you just feel like you're in a different world."
And her verdict, unprompted: "I keep looking at people's mouths and looking at their teeth, and I'm going to go back to London and I'm going to say: you need to go to Dentakay."
Frequently asked questions
Where did Liz Jones get her teeth done?
At Dentakay in Istanbul, Turkey, in January 2025.
What treatment did she have?
22 zirconia crowns, three connective tissue gum grafts, four gingivectomies and two composite fillings, completed over two days.
Why crowns rather than veneers?
Veneers are thin facings that need sound enamel to bond to. Where teeth have significant existing restorations or wear, crowns provide the coverage and strength that veneers can't.
How long did it take?
One trip, two consecutive treatment days.
How much did it cost?
Treatment cost depends entirely on the individual plan — how many teeth are involved, whether gum treatment is needed, and what materials are used. We provide a personalised estimate after assessment.
Can eating disorders damage your teeth?
Yes. Acid exposure over time can erode enamel, particularly on the inner surfaces of the upper teeth, and increase sensitivity and decay risk. Damage of this kind is treatable, and restorative options exist at every stage.
