Turkey has become the best-known destination for dental treatment abroad, so well known that “Turkey teeth” is now an everyday phrase. Albania is a newer and smaller alternative. If you are comparing the two, here is what really matters, beyond the advertised prices.
What does “Turkey teeth” actually mean?
The phrase is used for smiles made with many crowns placed on otherwise healthy teeth, often very white and bulky. The real issue is not the country but the treatment: a crown removes much more of the natural tooth than a veneer, and that cannot be undone. Wherever you go, ask why each tooth needs a crown, a veneer or nothing at all.
Price
Both countries are much cheaper than the UK or Western Europe. At Roma Dental Clinic in Durrës a dental implant costs from 35,000 lek (about €380), a zirconia crown from 15,000 lek (about €165) and an E.max veneer from 20,000 lek (about €220). Compare written, itemised quotes rather than “packages”: check what is included, such as X-rays, temporary teeth and follow-up visits. See our full price list.
Travel
Tirana airport has direct flights from the UK and many European cities, and our clinic in Durrës is less than an hour away by car. Durrës is a seaside city, so many patients combine treatment with a few days of rest by the sea. Read our guide to dental tourism in Albania for practical tips.
A smaller, more personal setting
Dental tourism in Albania is still a small sector compared with Turkey’s large clinics. At Roma Dental Clinic you meet the same small team of dentists throughout your treatment, and every case is planned with a clinical examination and digital X-ray before anything starts.
Questions to ask any clinic, in Albania or Turkey
- Who will treat me, and what is their training?
- Do I need crowns, or would veneers or whitening be enough? Why?
- Can I have a written, itemised quote before treatment?
- How many trips will I need, and how long is each stay?
- What happens if I have a problem after I go home?
- Can I see photos of real cases treated at this clinic?
How many trips do you need?
Veneers and crowns are usually completed in one trip of about a week. Implants need two trips: one for placement and, after a few months of healing, a second for the final teeth. With All-on-4 and All-on-6, fixed temporary teeth are usually fitted within 3–5 days of surgery. Learn more on our All-on-4 and All-on-6 page.
At Roma Dental Clinic
Dr. Alket Beja holds a second-level Master’s degree in implant prosthodontics from La Sapienza University in Rome. Before you travel you can send us a recent panoramic X-ray or photos of your smile on WhatsApp for a first assessment. Read about dental veneers in Albania, see our clinical cases or ask for a quote.