A 24-year-old woman has revealed her decision to travel 2,600 miles for a dramatic dental transformation, fully aware that her new smile would only last about ten years.
Lottie Carr, from North Wales, was determined to fix chips, cracks, discolouration, and alignment problems with her teeth. Her goal was to achieve a flawless Hollywood-style smile. But after documenting her journey online, she was surprised by the reaction — especially the flood of criticism.
Her TikTok video showcasing the procedure quickly went viral, amassing over 28.9 million views and 1.6 million likes. Yet the attention wasn’t all positive.
In an interview with Wales Online, Lottie shared her shock at the public’s intense reaction. “I knew the video of myself with shaved-down teeth would get some kind of response because it was so shocking,” she said, “but I didn’t expect it to go global and get that much negativity.”
She described some of the disturbing comments she received: “I was told to kill myself, that I’d ruined my life, that I’m still ugly even after the procedure, and that I’m a bad influence on young viewers.”
Lottie believes that many people online aren’t used to seeing the actual “during” phase of the dental makeover process. “People don’t usually show what it really takes to get that perfect Hollywood smile,” she added. “It’s only recently that I started feeling any major concerns about my teeth.”
Explaining her decision, she said, “I had chips, cracks, staining, and alignment issues — I just wanted a perfect smile.”
The cost difference between the UK and Turkey was a major factor in her choice. Dentists in the UK quoted her around £9,900 for crown veneers, while a clinic in Turkey charged her about £4,000.
According to the Turkish Dental Association, around 250,000 people travel to Turkey each year for dental work.
Lottie explained the procedure: “I had 10 crowns on the top and 10 on the bottom. They also thought I might need three root canals, but luckily they avoided that on the day.”
She described the process: “All my teeth were shaved down and reshaped so the crowns could fit over them properly. It was uncomfortable but not painful. I had local anaesthetic and didn’t feel any sensitivity. It was pretty much pain-free.”
She spent four consecutive days at the dentist, though each appointment only lasted a few hours.
After returning home, Lottie admitted to feeling anxious: “I do get nervous — that one might fall out, get stained, or that I might suddenly feel pain. But it’s only been a few weeks, and I need time to adjust.”
Despite these fears, she said, “I’m really happy with the results. In person, I’ve had nothing but positive reactions.”
Describing herself as “very spontaneous,” Lottie said she made the decision to undergo the makeover just months before flying out. She knows she’ll need to redo the procedure in a decade but doesn’t see that as a dealbreaker.
She said, “I started watching TikToks of the procedure before flying out and seeing people’s teeth shaved down made me nervous — I’d never seen that before. But life is short. We should be able to do what we want with our own bodies if it’s safe.”
To ensure safety, she did her research: “I made sure the clinic used high-quality materials and that the dentist was properly trained, licensed, and experienced.”
She added, “I know porcelain crowns don’t last forever, and I’ll need to return in ten years. But I live in the present. I’d rather have a beautiful smile now than live my whole life with damaged teeth.”
Still, the attention from her viral video left her feeling overwhelmed.
“I’m choosing to focus on the positive feedback,” she said. “Having that many people see you at your most vulnerable and comment on it is not for the faint-hearted.”
She concluded, “Now that I’ve seen the results and love my teeth, I can ignore the negativity. It’s definitely made me more aware of the risks involved with these kinds of procedures abroad.”
For those considering dental work overseas, the NHS offers advice and a checklist. It emphasizes that “all types of medical treatment involve some element of risk” and encourages people to get as much information as possible to make informed choices.
The NHS also advises individuals to reflect on their motivations, identify red flags, seek second opinions, research thoroughly, and understand the potential side effects and complications before committing to treatment abroad. Further guidance is available on their website.
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