Part 2: From Temporary to Permanent – My Return to Istanbul and the Perfect Smile (Video Journey Edition)
The Journey Complete: My Video-Documented Return to Istanbul
Hey everyone, Malcolm here again! Remember when I promised you Part 2 after my crown placement visit? Well, I’m back from Istanbul with my permanent teeth, an incredible story, and this time. I documented the whole journey on video!
If you haven’t read Part 1 of my dental tourism journey, I’d suggest starting there. But for those following along, let me take you through my October 2025 return to Istanbul with actual footage from my trip.
The Journey Begins: Toronto to Istanbul
My adventure started at Toronto International Airport. As I mentioned in my first video while killing time at duty-free, “I have to pay CLINIQUEPLUS, ha ha!”, but honestly, even with the treatment costs, I was saving a fortune compared to Canadian prices.
On Turkish Airlines for the second time, 10 hours and 5 minutes of flight time. Here’s a practical tip I learned from my first visit: I brought 3 days worth of protein powder this time (down from 5 on my first trip). Better safe than sorry if you can’t eat solid food right away. And I can’t say enough good things about Turkish Airlines, great planes, excellent food, and spotlessly clean.
Arrival Day: The VIP Treatment Returns
Made it through security at Istanbul Airport! Pro tip from experience: pay extra for express security clearance, the regular lines are massive.
Gate 14 is the last one on your right when you come through, just turn right and motor to the end. The meeting point was T33, where my limousine pickup was waiting.
The meeting point was packed with people waiting for their rides. The organization here is impressive!
This is where you really see the difference in service. As I said in the video, “Their taxis are way better than ours, I mean seriously!” They’re using Mercedes-Benz Maybach limousines for patient pickups. That’s the level of service we’re talking about here.
Day 1: Settling In
CLINIQUEPLUS put me up at the Hampton by Hilton. Really nice place with incredibly helpful staff. I was ready and excited for my second treatment day!
Day 2: The Crown Placement
Second day, morning at the clinic. As I said with genuine excitement: “Looking forward to a good day, get these teeth out and the new ones in. Sweet!”
The actual crown placement process was fascinating. Dr. Nursah (who I genuinely believe is a rock star dentist, probably the best I’ve had in my 65 years) worked her magic.
Here’s the amazing part, same day after getting my permanent crowns fitted, NO PAIN! They gave me some medication just in case, but I was ready to go. “Ready to try on for new teeth tomorrow or the next day,” I said, though actually, mine were already looking fantastic!
The Unexpected Istanbul Adventure
This is where my story takes an incredible turn. After my treatment, I met Alexander (Alec) Nordquist from the USA, another dental tourism patient. Omar, our patient coordinator from CLINIQUEPLUS, decided to show us the real Istanbul!
Exploring Historic Istanbul
Standing at the Blue Mosque with Alec and Omar was surreal. I might have gotten the date wrong in the video (I said 1048, but it’s actually from the 1600s), but the impression it makes is timeless. “It’s really impressive” doesn’t even begin to cover it!
“We’re mosque hopping!” as I said in the video. Being there during prayer time added another dimension to the experience. The architecture, the history, the spiritual atmosphere, it’s something you have to experience to understand.
The Grand Bazaar is absolutely massive! As I mentioned: “You need three to four hours to get through here. It’s a sea, if you don’t track where you are, you’re totally gonna get lost in here.” And yes, I did get lost! Ended up parking myself in front of a Patek Philippe store just to get my bearings. The mix of real luxury items and clever knockoffs, the energy, the history, it’s sensory overload in the best way!
An Evening to Remember
After our historic tour, Omar took us to an authentic kebab restaurant that tourists never find. We had Adana kebab, lamb shish, köfte, and then came the rakı, Turkey’s national drink. Sitting there with Alexander from Texas and Omar from Istanbul, sharing stories and toasting our new smiles, I realized this journey had become so much more than dental treatment.
My Honest Review
Let me address the elephant in the room, as I did in one of my most important videos. Is Turkey safe? Here’s my honest take after two visits: “Not anybody’s given me any grief, nobody even gives me a harsh word or a stupid stare. The people are nice, they’re kind, that’s it.”
And why do I share all this? Am I getting paid? “No, they’re not paying me, giving me favors, no.” What bothers me is that “in Canada we are paying triple the price that they charge here, and sorry to say this, I find their work superior.”
Working with Muhammad, Omar, and Dr. Nursah at CLINIQUEPLUS? “You are gonna be so happy. Nursah the dentist, she is a rock star, she’s probably the best dentist I’ve had, and I’m 65 years old.”
Back in Canada: The Final Verdict
This is my concluding vlog, filmed back in Canada while riding my motorcycle. CLINIQUEPLUS had asked me to do a goodbye video at the Istanbul airport, but I was having such a great “gabathon” with Alexander that I forgot!
Here’s the thing, I’m a really practical guy. Everything to me is about practicality. But I gotta tell you: “Getting your teeth done does affect your psyche. It makes you feel better, even if you’re practical like me. I can feel it. It makes me almost as happy as riding my motorcycle!”
My final verdict on CLINIQUEPLUS? “You scored 100%. I have no suggestions to make the experience better than it was.”
The Complete Financial Picture
Total Canadian Quote: $42,000 CAD
Turkey Total Cost (including treatment, flights, hotel, meals): $15,800 CAD
Total Savings: $26,200 CAD
Even with TWO trips to Istanbul, including flights, hotels, meals, and some shopping at the Grand Bazaar, I saved over $26,000!
The Unexpected Friendships
Alexander and I bonded instantly over our parallel journeys. As he put it: “I’m saving enough money to pay for a year of my kid’s college tuition, and I’m getting better treatment than I would have back home.”
Omar transformed from patient coordinator to cultural ambassador, showing us his city with genuine pride. We’re already planning to meet again, not for dental work, but just for the friendship and the city we’ve come to love.
My Promise to Fellow Canadians
Just as Dean Profaizer helped me make this decision with his honest reference, I want to pay it forward. If you’re a Canadian considering dental treatment abroad and have questions about my experience, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
The journey videos I’ve shared show the real, unfiltered experience, from the nervous excitement at Toronto airport to the joy of riding my motorcycle with a perfect smile back home.
More Than Just Teeth
What started as a practical solution to Canada’s expensive dental care became an incredible journey of discovery. I received world-class dental treatment at a fraction of Canadian prices, discovered a city that captured my heart, made unexpected friendships, and yes, got a smile that makes me as happy as riding my motorcycle.
To my fellow Canadians facing similar dental dilemmas: the solution might be closer than you think. It’s just a flight away, in a city where East meets West, where ancient history meets modern medicine, and where strangers become friends over kebabs and rakı.
As I said in my final video: “I wish you all well. I hope you all are happy as me.”
Thank you, everybody at CLINIQUEPLUS, for an amazing time. You scored 100%.
About the Author: Malcolm Ironmonger is a 65-year-old Canadian who found an unexpected solution to dental care costs and discovered that sometimes the best journeys are the ones you document on video. He continues to advocate for informed healthcare choices and loves sharing his story, now with video proof, with anyone considering dental tourism.
Want to see the actual video footage? Have questions about specific parts of the journey? Reach out, I’m always happy to help a fellow Canadian navigate this path.
Special thanks to CLINIQUEPLUS, to Omar for the unforgettable Istanbul tour, to Dr. Nursah for being a “rock star” dentist, and to Alexander for proving that dental tourists can become lifelong friends!
