Patient Results

Do not decide from appearance alone when looking at a result photograph. Ask about the starting condition, the treatment carried out and the dates of the photographs. Establish whether the image shows temporary or completed work. Ask for the maintenance and follow-up plan too.

You can examine the visible colour, shape and alignment. But do not infer a diagnosis or your treatment needs from them. The Turkish Dental Association's publishing guide requires a publication to state that it does not replace an examination¹. Do not use someone else's image to predict your result; ask your dentist to assess your own situation.

For other questions about trust, see our results and trust page.

Selection. Ask why the image was chosen. Find out which results are not shown and how this example is being compared with your situation. Do not draw a general conclusion from a selected image.

Lighting and angle. Ask whether the before-and-after photographs use the same lighting, angle and framing. The Ministry of Health's explanation specifies the same conditions for before-and-after images, with treatment and image dates displayed². Do not treat images with unexplained conditions as sufficient for a comparison.

Timing and editing. Establish which stage of treatment the photograph shows. Ask whether colour, shape or any other part of the image was subsequently changed. The Ministry's explanation specifies that patient images must not undergo subsequent technical alteration².

Temporary or completed work. Ask which treatment stage the work in the image belongs to. The American Dental Association's patient information explains that, during implant treatment, temporary crowns, bridges or dentures may be supplied while the final teeth are made³. Establish clearly whether the photograph shows temporary work or the work fitted later.

When assessing an image or a description of a result, ask for these details:

• Starting condition: What problem was present before treatment? What was the diagnosis?
• Treatment performed: What was done to which teeth? Were other procedures affecting appearance carried out too?
• Treatment dates: When did treatment start and finish?
• Photograph dates: When was each image taken? How long after treatment was the final image taken?
• Treatment stage: Does the image show a trial fitting, temporary work or completed work?
• Maintenance: What home care was advised? What was assessed at follow-up?
• Later condition: Was further treatment or a change made after the photograph?

Ask for this information in writing for your own treatment. Turkey's regulation for private dental facilities requires detailed records of diagnosis, treatment and any X-rays, with tooth numbers⁴. Under the patient rights regulation, you can examine your file and records and obtain a copy⁵. Keep copies of your plan and treatment dates.

Do not treat someone else's result as a prediction for your treatment. Ask your dentist to explain the similarities and differences:

• What are your diagnosis and treatment needs?
• How does the condition of your teeth, bone and gums affect the recommendation?
• What assessment is needed for smoking, tooth grinding or other habits?
• What should change in your daily oral hygiene?
• How will your general health and medicines be assessed when planning treatment?

For implants, the European Federation of Periodontology's patient guidance specifies treating active gum disease before implant treatment⁶. Patient guidance on implant aftercare also recommends stopping smoking before treatment and remaining smoke-free long term⁷. Discuss these recommendations with your dentist for your own situation. Do not use a photograph in place of that discussion.

Ask for appearance and oral health to be assessed separately. Do not ask only, "How will it look?" Add, "How will chewing, cleaning and gum health be assessed?" and "What will be checked at follow-up?"

Patient guidance on implant aftercare recommends continuing follow-up after treatment⁷. The UK's NICE guidance on general oral health reviews recommends tailoring the review interval to the person's disease levels, risks and needs⁸. Do not use that general guidance as an implant-specific review programme; ask your dentist for your own programme.

Ask in writing who will provide follow-up, what the reviews are for and whom to contact if a problem arises. When assessing your result, consider subsequent assessment records as well as the initial photograph.

Ask your dentist to explain treatment examples with a starting condition similar to yours. Discuss differences and limitations alongside the similarities.

• Which of my needs does the proposed treatment address?
• What are the alternatives? How are less treatment or no treatment being considered?
• What are the risks and possible complications?
• How will my expectations about appearance be assessed?
• If the plan changes, how will this be explained and the written plan updated?
• What are the arrangements for maintenance, follow-up and dealing with a problem?

Turkey's patient rights regulation provides for information about alternatives, their benefits and risks, possible complications and the consequences of refusing treatment⁵. Ask for the proposed procedures, the teeth involved and the follow-up plan in writing.

A dentist examines you in person before your plan is final.

You can say no, or ask to stop, at any stage. This right under the patient rights regulation excludes legally compulsory treatment; the consequences of refusal are explained and recorded in writing.⁵

What can and cannot be promised in treatment, and how to read written terms, is explained on a separate page.

Turkey's regulation on promotion and information in health services prohibits overt or covert advertising⁹. It also prohibits advertising based on patient testimonials, thanks or satisfaction⁹.

The Ministry of Health's explanation specifies explicit consent using the prescribed form for patient images². Its stated conditions also include matching conditions for before-and-after photographs, with treatment and image dates displayed², and no subsequent technical alteration².

The Turkish Dental Association's publishing guide requires stating whether an image shows the dentist's own patient and whether image processing was used¹. Do not interpret that disclosure requirement as permission for alterations prohibited by the Ministry.

Do not treat the presence of these details in a post as, by itself, confirmation of legal compliance or a promise of your result.

When seeking information about treatment itself rather than a photograph, you can read our composite bonding and crowns, bridges and dentures pages. Use them to prepare questions for your dentist. Ask which option is being recommended for you and why.

What should I ask first about before-and-after photographs?

Ask about the starting condition, the treatment performed, and treatment and photograph dates. Establish the photography conditions, whether the image was altered and whether it shows temporary or completed work.

Is a similar photograph enough to predict my result?

Do not use someone else's photograph to predict your result. Ask your dentist to explain differences after assessing your diagnosis, bone and gums, habits, oral hygiene and general health.

What should I discuss besides appearance?

Ask about chewing, cleaning, gum health and follow-up. Request written information about the purpose of reviews, who provides them and whom to contact if a problem arises.

What written information should I request before deciding?

Ask for your diagnosis, the proposed procedures, alternatives, risks and follow-up plan. Ask how the written plan will be updated if it changes. Keep copies of your own treatment records too.