Turkey is Europe’s best-known dental travel destination. Istanbul and Antalya have hundreds of clinics, direct flights and ready-made packages with hotels. Georgia is still an unknown option for Finns, even though Tbilisi is only a short flight from Istanbul. I have put together a comparison that says honestly where Turkey is good, where Georgia is better – and what is worth checking in either country.
Prices side by side: Istanbul and Tbilisi
The Turkish prices come from the public price lists of clinics and intermediaries in Istanbul. The Georgian prices are those of our partner clinics, TSMU University Dental Clinic and Anna Metreveli Clinic.
| Treatment | Turkey | Georgia (Tbilisi) |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia crown | €140–500 | €190 |
| Metal-ceramic crown | €250–350porcelain crown; metal-ceramic is rarely priced separately | €65 |
| Ceramic veneer | €240–500 | €265 |
| Full dentures, upper and lower jaw | €1,200–3,200+ extractions €26–100 each | €760incl. extraction of 10 teeth |
| Tooth extraction, simple | €26–100 | approx. €45–65 |
| Implant + crown | approx. €500–1,200 | personal estimateTbilisi price level approx. €510–1,230 |
Prices October 2026, in euros, per tooth or per treatment. The price ranges in Turkey are wide: the lowest prices are usually intermediaries’ package prices, the highest are those of well-known clinics.
Total costs including travel
Travel costs do not decide this comparison. You fly to Istanbul direct in about 3 hours 40 minutes and to Tbilisi with one change in about 8–9 hours, but return flight prices to both are about €190–330. Accommodation in Tbilisi is typically a little cheaper than in Istanbul.
Below are examples in which the Turkish price is a typical clinic price from the lower end of the range, and the travel costs are flights and 6 hotel nights (about €670). For Georgia the travel costs are counted as flights and 7 hotel nights (about €600):
| Treatment package | Turkey total | Georgia total | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 zirconia crowns | approx. €1,670 | approx. €1,360 | Georgia, −€310 |
| 6 ceramic veneers | approx. €2,470 | approx. €2,190 | Georgia, −€280 |
| Full dentures + 10 extractions | approx. €2,770 | approx. €1,360 | Georgia, −€1,410 |
| Whole mouth: 24 zirconia crowns | approx. €6,670 | approx. €5,160 | Georgia, −€1,510 |
| Whole mouth: 24 metal-ceramic crowns | approx. €6,670 | approx. €2,150 | Georgia, −€4,520 |
Turkey: zirconia crown and porcelain crown €250, veneer €300, full dentures €1,600 + 10 extractions at €50 each, flights €250 + 6 hotel nights at €70 each. Georgia: treatment price + flights €250 + 7 hotel nights at €50 each. At the cheapest package prices in Turkey (e.g. zirconia crown €138), Turkey can be cheaper than Georgia for crowns.
Conclusion: for zirconia crowns and veneers the differences are small, and instead of the price it is worth comparing what the price includes. For metal-ceramic crowns and full dentures Georgia is clearly cheaper.
Work out your own comparison
Enter the treatments you need. You can also change the Turkish prices if you already have a quote from a Turkish clinic.
Comparison calculator: Istanbul vs Tbilisi
The prices for Georgia are those of our partner clinics (zirconia crown €190, metal-ceramic crown €65, veneer €265, full dentures incl. 10 extractions €760, extraction €55). This is an indicative estimate, not a quotation. For implants we always make a personal estimate.
“Turkey teeth” – where the warnings come from
In Britain the term Turkey teeth has come into use: bright white, often too large rows of teeth that have been made quickly and cheaply. The problem is not Turkey as a country – it also has excellent, internationally accredited clinics – but a certain kind of treatment model.
Source: BDA, survey of 1,000 dentists, 2022.
The most common problems relate to three things:
- Overtreatment. Healthy teeth are ground down for crowns even though lighter treatment would be enough. Grinding cannot be undone, and grinding too deep can lead to root canal treatment later.
- Hurry. Full-mouth treatment is promised in a few days, which leaves no time to check the bite or make corrections.
- Aftercare. Once the patient is at home, contact with the clinic can be lost. Fixing complications back home is expensive.
The same risks apply to any country. That is why it is worth going through the checklist below, whether you choose Turkey, Georgia or some other destination.
Checklist before choosing a clinic
- Will I get a written treatment plan and cost estimate based on X-rays?
- Why does this particular tooth need a crown – would a filling or a veneer be enough?
- Which dentist will do the treatment, and what are their training and experience?
- Is the clinic licensed and accredited, and who supervises it?
- What materials and implant brands are used?
- Is time reserved for checking the bite and making corrections before I go home?
- What does the guarantee cover, and who keeps in touch if a problem appears at home?
- Can I take my X-rays and treatment records with me for my dentist at home?
If a clinic pressures you to decide immediately, promises full-mouth treatment in a few days or recommends crowns for healthy teeth, it is worth asking for a second opinion.
Other differences
Clinic and dentists
In Turkey the choice is huge: large chains, JCI-accredited clinics and plenty of reviews – but also many intermediaries, through whom the patient does not always know who will do the treatment. In Tbilisi, our partner clinic TSMU University Dental Clinic operates as a unit of Tbilisi State Medical University: it is licensed, accredited and ISO-certified, and its dentists have 15–31 years of experience. You know in advance who will treat you.
Language and support
Turkish clinics usually serve patients in English, and the largest have patient coordinators. In Tbilisi, SmileGeorgia arranges an interpreter in your own mother tongue – Finnish, Swedish or Norwegian – for every treatment, and the same contact person supports you from the first message until you are back home.
Travel
Istanbul is Turkey’s clear advantage: direct flights and a shorter journey time. To Tbilisi there is one change. As a trip in itself, Tbilisi is an experience for many – Georgian food and wine, the old town and the mountains. Jyrki, from Kuopio, made an excursion to Kazbegi between his treatments and will return for his next visit with his lady friend.
Based on my experience I can recommend: just pick up the phone and call Seppo, and things always get sorted out.
Kela reimbursements
Neither country is in the EU, so Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) does not reimburse treatment costs in Turkey or in Georgia. In this respect the two countries are in the same position.
Which suits you better?
Turkey may suit you if…
- you want a direct flight and a short journey time
- you have researched the clinic and the dentist carefully yourself
- you are comfortable dealing in English
- you are comparing several quotes and know what they include
Georgia suits you if…
- you need crowns, dentures or full-mouth treatment
- you want a university clinic and want to know who is treating you
- you want an interpreter in your own mother tongue at every visit
- you value having one person arrange everything
Frequently asked questions
Is dental treatment cheaper in Georgia or in Turkey?
The price level is close. At typical prices Georgia is usually somewhat cheaper, especially for metal-ceramic crowns and full dentures. The cheapest package offers in Turkey can be just as cheap or cheaper, so what matters is what is included in the price and who does the treatment.
Why are people warned about dental treatment in Turkey?
The problem has been overtreatment in particular: healthy teeth are ground down for crowns, and extensive treatment is done in too short a time. In a 2022 survey by the British Dental Association (BDA), 86% of dentists who had examined patients treated abroad had treated complications, most commonly after crowns and implants. Turkey also has excellent clinics – choose your clinic carefully.
Does Kela reimburse dental treatment done in Turkey or Georgia?
No. Turkey and Georgia are not in the EU, and Kela does not reimburse treatment costs incurred in either. In this respect the two countries are in the same position.
How long does crown treatment take in Tbilisi?
Crown and veneer treatment is usually done during a single trip of about 7–10 days. For extensive treatment it is worth allowing time to check the bite – a full-mouth treatment promised too quickly is a warning sign in any country.
How do I recognise overtreatment?
Warning signs are a recommendation to crown healthy teeth, full-mouth treatment in a few days, a treatment plan without X-rays and pressure to decide immediately. Always ask for a written treatment plan and the reasons for every crown.
How long is the flight to Tbilisi compared with Istanbul?
There are direct flights from Helsinki to Istanbul, taking about 3 hours 40 minutes. To Tbilisi you fly with one change, for example via Istanbul or Riga, in about 8–9 hours. Return flight prices are in the same range, about €190–330. We arrange the flights for you.
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This is an indicative comparison, not a quotation. Prices were collected from the public price lists of clinics and providers in October 2026 and may change. The final price is set after the dentist’s examination. SmileGeorgia.pro provides patient coordination and information; diagnoses and treatment decisions are made by qualified dentists.
Sources: Turkey: MedicalTourismCo, DentNis, Maltepe Dental Clinic · Georgia: SmileGeorgia.pro partner clinics, Ultradent, GeorgiaExpats · BDA survey: Dental Tribune UK, 25 July 2022 · Travel: Kayak Helsinki–Istanbul, Halvatlennot.fi Helsinki–Tbilisi · Kela: Medical care abroad
Read also: Dental treatment in Estonia or Georgia? · Dental prices 2026: Finland, Georgia, Estonia and Turkey