Gina Heslop
Many people dream of improving their appearance, and for some, that starts with their smile. Hayley Debra Potter, a 57-year-old grandmother, struggled with gum disease for 14 years, which led to the loss of most of her teeth. The few that remained were badly discolored, making her self-conscious about her smile.
At first, Hayley tried to hide her teeth, but that wasn’t who she was. She wanted to feel confident again. However, the cost of dental implants in the UK was extremely high—around £20,000. That’s when she heard about affordable dental treatments in Turkey, specifically in the city of Antalya. She decided to take a chance and book an appointment.
In early October, she flew to Turkey for the procedure. The entire process took about 4.5 hours, during which all 13 of her remaining teeth were removed. She opted for dental implants and bridges, beginning with ten implants.
After the first stage of the surgery, she had to wear dentures for six months while her body healed. Once the healing period was over, the final crowns and bridges would be placed, completing her transformation.
Many people worry about dental procedures in Turkey because of horror stories they hear. However, Hayley had a completely different experience—she was thrilled with the results. She said her confidence skyrocketed and that she finally felt like herself again.
As a hospital ward maid, Hayley’s job is demanding and often stressful. Before the surgery, she would always hesitate to smile, fearing people would notice her teeth. But now, things had changed.
“I had to mentally prepare myself to stay calm and focus on the end result,” she said. “The surgeon was also incredibly handsome, which helped keep me distracted!”
After the operation, she barely recognized herself in the mirror. Her face was bruised and swollen, but she wasn’t in any pain. “I was completely numb on the first day, and they gave me anti-inflammatory medicine,” she explained.
Staying in a hotel filled with other patients recovering from cosmetic surgery, she didn’t feel alone. She received plenty of support and advice, making the experience much easier.
Back home, Hayley had to follow a soft food diet while her implants healed. Although she still couldn’t eat hard foods, she didn’t mind. “I used to struggle to chew because my teeth were in such bad shape, and now I just need time to adjust.”
Now, every time she walks past a mirror, she can’t help but smile. “I’ve never smiled this much in my entire life,” she said excitedly.
For Hayley, this wasn’t just about getting new teeth—it was about gaining a new sense of confidence and joy. And if you ask her whether the implants were worth it, she would answer with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen.
