Smile Design in Istanbul: The Art of Personalised Aesthetic Dentistry with Dr. Tansu Uzel

Your smile is the most powerful introduction you give to the world. In modern dentistry, Smile Design in Istanbul — often called a Hollywood Smile — goes far beyond whitening or straightening teeth. It is a precise engineering process rooted in the golden ratio: a treatment that harmonises your face shape, skin tone, lip structure and personality into a smile that looks entirely, unmistakably like you. At Dr. Tansu Uzel Clinic in Istanbul, specialist Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Tansu Uzel brings together surgical precision and aesthetic design discipline to create results that are both naturally beautiful and functionally sound.

Istanbul has established itself as one of the world’s foremost destinations for smile design. Patients from across Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Gulf travel specifically to Istanbul for these procedures — drawn by world-class clinical expertise, advanced technology and treatment costs that are a fraction of what the same quality would cost in Western countries.

What Is Smile Design (Hollywood Smile)?

Smile design is a comprehensive aesthetic treatment that restores the visual appearance of teeth and gums that have been compromised by wear, discolouration, damage or misalignment — tailored entirely to the patient’s facial anatomy and aesthetic goals.

It is not simply about the teeth. A complete smile design addresses the form and symmetry of the gum line (what specialists call “pink aesthetics”), the relationship between the lips and teeth at rest and in motion, and the proportional balance of every visible element of the smile. The result is a cohesive, harmonious aesthetic — not a set of artificially uniform teeth, but a smile that reads as entirely natural.

Why Choose a Maxillofacial Surgeon for Smile Design?

Smile design is widely perceived as a cosmetic procedure involving only veneers or crowns. In reality, a truly comprehensive design involves surgical considerations that extend from gum levels to jaw occlusion.

• Gum Aesthetics (Gingivectomy): Excessive gum display during smiling — known as “Gummy Smile” — requires surgical expertise to correct symmetrically and permanently. Dr. Tansu Uzel’s background as a maxillofacial surgeon means this is handled with a level of precision that a purely cosmetic practitioner cannot offer.
• Functional Analysis: We design smiles that are not only beautiful but functionally correct — ensuring proper bite (occlusion), jaw alignment and long-term structural stability.
• Surgical Foundation When Needed: In cases requiring implants or bone augmentation, the aesthetic design is built on a solid surgical foundation from the outset, rather than retrofitted around it.

This integrated approach is what distinguishes a smile design performed at a surgical specialist clinic from a purely cosmetic dental procedure.

Treatment Options: Which Method Is Right for You?

The appropriate technique depends on the degree of existing dental wear, the patient’s aesthetic goals and the condition of the underlying tooth structure. The following comparison covers the most commonly used methods:

During your consultation, Dr. Tansu Uzel will assess your specific clinical situation and recommend the combination of methods that achieves the most natural, durable and cost-effective outcome for you.

The Smile Design Process: Step by Step

At our Istanbul clinic, every smile design follows a fully digital workflow that eliminates uncertainty and ensures the final result matches your expectations precisely before any irreversible treatment begins.

Step 1 — Digital Analysis and Photography
High-resolution photographs of your face and oral cavity are taken from standardised angles. Digital impression systems transfer your precise oral anatomy into a computer environment for design work.

Step 2 — Mock-Up (Preview Simulation)
Before a single tooth is touched, we show you exactly what your finished smile will look like. Temporary materials are used to place a “trial smile” directly in your mouth. You see and experience the result before committing to it — and adjustments are made until you are completely satisfied.

Step 3 — Gum and Tooth Preparation
Where indicated, laser gum contouring (gingivoplasty) is performed to achieve ideal symmetry and proportions. Teeth are then minimally prepared for laminate veneers or zirconia crowns according to the finalised design.

Step 4 — Final Placement
Porcelain restorations are crafted with precision in our specialist dental laboratory. They are then bonded to your teeth using high-strength dental adhesives, completing your new smile.

The entire process is typically completed in 7 to 10 days across 2 to 3 appointments — making it fully compatible with a planned visit to Istanbul for international patients.

Aftercare: Making Your New Smile Last

With proper care, porcelain laminates and zirconia crowns are colour-stable and resistant to wear for 15 to 20 years or more. Dr. Tansu Uzel recommends the following:

• Oral hygiene: In addition to regular brushing, daily flossing and interdental brushes are essential to maintaining the health of the gum line around your restorations.
• Habits to avoid: Nail-biting, pen-chewing, or using teeth to open packaging can damage porcelain surfaces over time.
• Night guard: If you grind your teeth (bruxism), a custom night guard is strongly recommended to protect your investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does smile design treatment take?
Thanks to our digital workflow, most patients complete their new smile in 7 to 10 days across 2 to 3 sessions. This timeline is specifically designed to accommodate international patients travelling to Istanbul.

Is the procedure painful?
All preparation work is carried out under local anaesthesia, so you will not feel any pain during treatment. Temporary restorations are placed on the same day as tooth preparation, meaning you leave every session with a complete, aesthetic smile — even between appointments.

Are the results permanent?
Porcelain laminates and zirconia crowns do not discolour and are highly resistant to wear. With good maintenance, results are expected to last 15 to 20 years or beyond.

How much does smile design cost in Istanbul?
The total cost depends on the number of teeth treated (typically the 8 to 10 front teeth), the material selected (laminate versus zirconia), and whether gum surgery is required. Istanbul offers smile design at costs significantly below those in Western Europe or North America — for the same quality of materials, technology and clinical expertise. A detailed, personalised treatment plan and quote is provided following your initial consultation, which can be conducted remotely for international patients.

Smile Design in Istanbul: A World-Class Destination for Dental Tourism

Istanbul has become one of the world’s most sought-after cities for dental treatment — combining internationally trained specialists, state-of-the-art technology and highly competitive pricing, all within a city of extraordinary cultural richness that makes the experience of travelling for treatment genuinely enjoyable.

Dr. Tansu Uzel holds an International Health Tourism Competency Certificate issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health. This is an official government accreditation confirming that our clinic meets the highest standards for international patient safety, quality management and cross-border healthcare. When you choose DRTU Clinic, you are choosing a facility that has been formally certified for medical tourism — not simply a cosmetic dental practice.

Thousands of patients have travelled to our Istanbul clinic from across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Brazil and Africa. Before and after photographs and video testimonials from real international patients are available on our Instagram profile at @drtudentalclinic.eng — we encourage you to explore the results and read about patients’ experiences before making your decision.

For international patients, we offer remote consultations: simply send us your photographs and we will provide an initial assessment, treatment recommendation and cost estimate before you book your travel.

Contact & Appointment

• WhatsApp / Phone: +90 532 386 23 78
• Instagram: @drtudentalclinic.eng (before & after results, international patient testimonials)
• Address: Galata, Müeyyetzade, Tatar Beyi Sk. No:26/B, 34425 Istanbul, Turkey