Dental emergencies are distressing at any time — more so when you are abroad and do not know where to go. Our Istanbul clinic is experienced with international patients who need urgent care while visiting Turkey: tourists, dental tourists whose planned treatment has developed a complication, and patients who have flown in specifically for emergency treatment. The process is straightforward: contact us, describe your symptoms, and we will triage your situation and confirm the fastest available appointment.
The fastest way to get an urgent appointment is to message us on WhatsApp. Describe your symptoms, tell us where in Istanbul you are, and the coordinator will come back to you as quickly as possible.
Dental emergencies we can treat urgently
Our clinic can assess and treat most dental emergencies that do not require hospital-level medical intervention. Common presentations we see from tourists and international patients include:
- Severe toothache — throbbing or spontaneous pain that is not controlled by over-the-counter pain relief, or pain that wakes you at night.
- Dental abscess — a bacterial infection at the root tip or in the gum, presenting as swelling, severe throbbing pain, fever, bad taste or a visible gum lump. Abscesses can spread and require prompt treatment.
- Broken, chipped or knocked-out tooth — trauma from a fall, sports or accident. For a knocked-out tooth, minutes matter — contact us immediately.
- Lost or broken crown, veneer or filling — leaving a tooth exposed, sensitive or with sharp edges. We can often recement, replace with a temporary restoration, or begin a permanent replacement the same day.
- Broken or ill-fitting denture — a denture that has cracked, broken a tooth or become too loose to use.
- Lost implant crown — the crown coming off an implant abutment. Usually a quick fix if the implant itself is sound.
- Post-operative concern — pain, swelling or bleeding that seems excessive after a dental procedure elsewhere.
Significant facial swelling spreading towards the eye or neck; difficulty breathing or swallowing; a high fever alongside dental pain; signs of Ludwig's angina or spreading jaw infection. These can be life-threatening and require urgent hospital assessment, not just dental treatment.
What to do right now
While you are arranging to see us, here are some practical first-aid steps for common situations. These are general guidance only — they are not a substitute for professional dental assessment.
- Severe toothache: take over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen is generally effective for dental pain; follow pack instructions and do not exceed stated doses). Avoid hot food and drink if the tooth is sensitive to temperature. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum — it can cause a chemical burn.
- Dental abscess: if you have antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, take them as directed. Cold water held in the mouth can provide temporary relief for some patients. Do not apply heat to a swollen face. See a dentist as soon as possible — antibiotics manage infection but do not resolve the underlying cause.
- Knocked-out permanent tooth: handle it by the crown, not the root. Rinse gently with milk or clean water (no scrubbing). Reinsert into the socket if possible, or store in milk or between cheek and gum. Contact us immediately — ideally within 30 minutes of the injury. The sooner you reach the clinic, the better the chance of saving the tooth. Note: this applies to permanent adult teeth only, not baby teeth.
- Broken tooth or lost filling: avoid chewing on that side. Dental wax (available from pharmacies) can cover sharp edges temporarily. Contact us to arrange an appointment.
- Swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing: go to a hospital emergency department immediately. Do not wait for a dental appointment.
How to get an urgent appointment
The fastest route is always via WhatsApp. Send a brief description of your symptoms and your location in Istanbul and the coordinator will respond as quickly as possible with available appointment times and directions to the clinic.
You can also use the form on our contact page — though WhatsApp is faster for urgent situations.
A few practical notes on availability:
- Same-day appointments are available where clinic capacity allows. They cannot always be guaranteed, particularly during busy periods or on public holidays.
- Evening and weekend capacity is more limited. Contact us as early in the day as possible for the best chance of a same-day slot.
- Triage by WhatsApp helps the team prepare for your arrival and sometimes allows the dentist to review photos of the affected tooth before you come in — saving time at the appointment.
Emergency dental costs in Istanbul
Emergency dental fees in Istanbul are considerably lower than UK out-of-hours or private emergency rates. The cost of treatment depends on what is needed; the emergency consultation itself is charged separately and is indicatively priced below.
| Treatment | Istanbul (indicative) | UK private / OOH (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency consultation | from €30 | £80–£200+ |
| Temporary filling / recementation | €40–€80 | £100–£250 |
| Crown recementation | €50–€100 | £100–£300 |
| Emergency root canal (molar) | from €200 | £700–£900+ |
| Tooth extraction (simple) | from €60 | £150–£350 |
All fees are confirmed in writing before treatment begins. No work proceeds without your explicit consent and a clear cost estimate. See a broader cost comparison →
