A young woman has opened up about her journey of travelling 2,600 miles for a dental makeover, fully aware that the results would only last around ten years.

Lottie Carr, 24, was determined to achieve a dazzling new smile to correct chips, cracks, discolouration, and misalignment issues.

However, after sharing her transformation online, Lottie was met with a barrage of unexpected criticism. Her TikTok video exploded in popularity, racking up over 28.9 million views and 1.6 million likes.

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In an interview with NeedToKnow, Lottie from North Wales, shared her astonishment at the public’s reaction. “I knew the video of myself with shaved-down teeth would likely invoke some kind of response as it was so outrageous but I did not expect the video to have international reach and receive the amount of negativity that it did,” reports Wales Online.

“I was told to kill myself, that I’ve ruined my life, that I am still ugly after the procedure, and that I’m a bad influence to young and impressionable viewers.

“I don’t think a lot of people share the ‘during’ phase of this procedure online so [people] don’t actually see what is done to create the ‘perfect Hollywood smile’.

“It wasn’t until very recently that I started to have any significant concerns about my teeth.”

Discussing her reasons, Lottie explained: “I had chips, cracks, staining, and alignment issues and just wanted the perfect smile.”

The price disparity between nations was quite pronounced. While UK dentists quoted Lottie a hefty £9,900 for crown veneers, she ended up paying just about £4,000 in Turkey.

In 2023, the Turkish Dental Association reported that a staggering 250,000 individuals flock to Turkey annually for dental procedures.

Lottie shared her experience, stating: “I had 10 crowns on the top and 10 crowns on the bottom.”

She added: “There was also a possibility that I was going to need three root canals but they managed to avoid this on the day luckily.

“My teeth were all shaved down and reshaped to enable the crowns to slot over the top to ensure they seal properly.”

Despite the extensive work, she remarked: “It was uncomfortable but not painful in the slightest as I was injected with anaesthetic. I did not feel any sensitivity and it was virtually a pain-free process.

“I was at the dentist for four days in a row but only a few hours each day.”

Post-procedure, Lottie confessed: “I do get a lot of anxiety that I’m going to lose one, or stain one, or that I’m going to suffer with sudden pain etc – but it has only been a few weeks since the procedure so it is something I need to get used to.”

However, she expressed delight with the outcome: “I am so happy with the results. In person I have had 100% positive reactions.”

Describing herself as a “very spontaneous person”, Lottie revealed that the decision to undergo dental work was made just months before.

Even though she recognises that she might need to repeat the treatment after ten years, she doesn’t see it as a problem.

She explained: “I started looking at some TikToks of the procedure before I flew out and seeing other people’s teeth shaved down started to make me feel nervous – I’d not seen it before.

“[But] I think life is short and we should be able to do whatever we want with our own bodies providing it is safe.

“I made sure that the clinic I chose uses high-quality materials and that the dentist is properly trained, licensed, and experienced.

“I am aware of the longevity of porcelain crowns and am aware I will need to go back in 10 years time – but I live in the now and I’d rather have a big beautiful smile now rather than live my whole life with my teeth in the condition they were in.

“To achieve the look I wanted this was my option.”

Lottie, however, was “overwhelmed” by the massive attention her video received.

Opting to focus on the positive feedback, she is ignoring the negative comments.

She added: “To have that many people see you in the most vulnerable state you’ve ever been in, and to have them all comment on it, it’s really not for the faint-hearted.

“But now that I have seen the results and am so happy with my teeth I am able to brush off the comments.

“It has definitely made me a lot more conscious of the risks and dangers associated with this type of procedure overseas.”

On the NHS website, there is advice for those considering treatment abroad, which includes a checklist.

“It points out that ‘all types of medical treatment involve some element of risk’.

“It’s important to get as much information as possible about your treatment options so that you can make informed choices.”

The NHS urges individuals to deliberate on their motives for seeking treatments abroad, recognise warning signs, seek another opinion, conduct thorough research, account for potential side effects and complications, with additional guidance available on their platform.