A woman from Telford has been left in excruciating pain and unable to breathe properly after a failed dental procedure in Turkey. Leanne Abeyance, 41, underwent a so-called “Turkey teeth” operation, which has had devastating consequences for her health and wellbeing.
Abeyance says the operation led to her nose collapsing, and she now requires reconstructive surgery. In the meantime, she is relying on sleeping tablets and morphine to manage the constant pain. “I just want to chop my head off and start again,” she remarked, clearly distraught by the ordeal.
In the days leading up to an operation to remove the dental implants at Guy’s Hospital in London, Abeyance’s septum “came apart” and would not stop bleeding. “I got my mum round, I got everyone round. I actually said goodbye to my little girls, because I thought I was going to die, I thought I was going to get sepsis and die,” she recounted.
The failed dental work has also triggered autoimmune conditions that are causing further damage to Abeyance’s face and making it painful for her to eat. She has resorted to using a prosthetic nose, but had to stop after suffering an allergic reaction.
“[But] when something is on your face like this everyone stops and stares at you,” Abeyance said, explaining her reluctance to go out in public. “I don’t want to go out anywhere, I don’t want to see anybody. Who wants to see somebody with bandages on their face? Who wants somebody who’s crying in pain every day?”
Despite her own suffering, Abeyance is determined to use her experience to warn others about the dangers of seeking cut-price cosmetic dental procedures abroad. “I’m doing this now for everybody else,” she said.
The NHS advises that while overseas dental work may be cheaper, the risks need to be carefully considered. Patients are encouraged to consult their NHS dentist first, as standards can vary significantly in different countries.
