Joshua Nair
A grandmother was left looking majorly bruised and 'unrecognisable' after travelling to Turkey to get her teeth done, but she has no regrets.
Hayley Debra Potter had been losing teeth for 14 years as she continued to suffer with gum disease, resulting in abscesses, which also rendered her remaining teeth yellow.
After years of choosing not to smile, she thought enough was enough, and signed up for 'Turkey Teeth', deciding to book an appointment at a well-known clinic situated in Antalya, Turkey.
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In total, the procedure came with a £8,000 price tag, which was a staggering £20,000 less than what she was quoted for the same operation in the UK.
Earlier this October, the grandma travelled to get her work done, with the entire procedure taking four-and-a-half hours in total, including getting her 13 remaining teeth taken out.
The 57-year-old paid for a full set of implants and bridges, and had just ten dental implants put in this time around, being made to wear dentures for six months until it has healed, so that crowns and bridges could be put in.
But before you think this is another horror Turkey teeth story, think again, as Hayley said her 'confidence is through the roof' following the work.
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A hospital ward housekeeper by day, she admitted she felt 'insecure' before and would 'never smile with my teeth'.
She said: "I had to mentally prepare myself so I would stay calm and think of the end result.
"I was awake the whole time - but I was ok with that because the surgeon was bloody handsome!
"Afterwards, I got very swollen and bruised - I was unrecognisable," Hayley revealed.
"But now I feel wonderful. I know it will change my life completely. I've never smiled so much in my life."
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Smilepod Dental Clinic was responsible for the operation, as the housekeeper paid £9,000 in total after paying for flights.
Hayley added that despite her bruised appearance, she 'looked worse than I felt' as her first day left her in 'no pain whatsoever' as she was 'completely numbed'.
"I was given painkillers and anti-inflammatories. I was very swollen and bruised but everyone in the hotel was having some kind of cosmetic surgery so I was well supported," Hayley explained.
The permanent set of dentures must be worn for six months, which is when her implants will be fully healed and her actual new teeth can be put in.
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Since returning home on 17 October, she has had to stick to a soft-food diet, which she must continue doing while healing.
"I did have nerves beforehand but everything went so smoothly, I don't have a single complaint," Hayley admitted, beaming with joy following her operation.
"I can't eat tough foods at the minute but I couldn't anyway because of how bad my teeth were before."
She concluded: "I feel wonderful. I already know it will change my life completely,
"Whenever I walk past a mirror I smile - I can't stop smiling! I've never smiled so much in my life."