23 Zirconia Crowns in Vietnam Finally Gave Me a Smile I Love

Ok so im writing this from the UK after just getting back from Vietnam and i still cant believe this is real. My teeth were absolutely TERRIBLE – like crooked and stained and just horrible to look at. Ive been hiding them with clip on veneers for FOUR YEARS. Do you know how depressing it is to put on fake teeth before every social event, every party, every photo? I felt like such a fraud and i was so embarrassed but UK dentists were just… useless honestly. They either dismissed me or quoted insane prices or both.

I found SmileJet almost a year ago through googling dental tourism options and started communicating with them about what i needed. Sent them like a million photos of my teeth from every angle and had several video consultations where they actually listened to me and took my concerns seriously. After months of planning (i was nervous ok) they arranged everything with their partner clinic in Ho Chi Minh City and i finally booked my flights.

The flight from London was LONG – like 13 hours plus a layover – and i was exhausted and anxious the whole time. But when i landed in Saigon my coordinator Linh from SmileJet was literally waiting at the airport with a sign with my name on it. That immediately made me feel so much better because i had no idea how id navigate Vietnam on my own lol.

Linh drove me to my hotel and explained everything about the next few days and gave me her WhatsApp and was like “message me anytime you need anything” which was so reassuring. The hotel was in District 1 i think? Nice area, lots of restaurants and coffee shops nearby. I was too tired to explore much that first day so i just crashed.

Next morning Linh picked me up at 9am for my first appointment and im not gonna lie i was terrified. UK dentists have always been so dismissive with me – like they made me feel stupid for even asking questions – so i had this expectation that it would be the same. But the clinic was really modern and clean and everyone was so warm and welcoming. My dentist (i wish i remembered his name, im terrible with names) sat down with me and went through everything step by step and actually answered all my anxious questions without making me feel dumb.

So heres what i needed: one extraction because i had this weird molar that grew behind my other teeth with no space (gross i know), plus reshaping 23 teeth for zirconium crowns. TWENTY THREE. I was like oh god this is gonna be awful right?

They numbed me up really well before starting and honestly the numbing part was the worst bit. Once i was numb i didnt feel pain exactly but there was definitely discomfort and pressure and all the sounds and sensations were just… alot. The extraction was quick thankfully. Then they started reshaping all my teeth for the crowns which took FOREVER. I was in that chair for hours and my jaw was aching from being open so long and i was getting tired but everyone kept checking if i was ok and if i needed a break.

Got back to the hotel around 5pm and i was exhausted. The numbing was wearing off and my mouth started hurting – like proper hurting – for about 40 minutes. Took the pain meds they prescribed and just laid in bed feeling sorry for myself lol. But the meds kicked in pretty quick and by the time i went to sleep i felt ok. Slept through the whole night which i wasnt expecting.

Next day Linh picked me up again for the fitting trial. They put the temporary crowns on to make sure everything aligned properly with my bite and to check the shape and color. I was so nervous to look in the mirror because what if they looked fake or weird or just bad? But when i finally looked i literally started crying. My teeth looked NORMAL. Like actually normal and straight and white and i couldnt stop smiling even though my mouth was still a bit sore.

The dentist was such a perfectionist about everything. He kept checking and adjusting and asking me what i thought and making tiny changes until everything was exactly right. I really appreciated that because UK dentists always rushed me through appointments but this guy spent so much time making sure i was happy with everything.

Over the next week i had a few more appointments for adjustments and then finally got my permanent zirconium crowns fitted. They look incredible. SO natural and gorgeous and i keep taking selfies because i still cant believe these are my teeth now. For the first time in my entire life i have a beautiful smile and its not fake clip ons its actually MY teeth.

The whole experience was honestly overwhelming in the best way. The workmanship was exceptional, the care and attention to detail was incredible, everyone was so patient with my anxiety and constant questions. Linh made sure i got to all my appointments on time and checked in on me every day to see how i was feeling. SmileJet coordinated everything perfectly.

Money wise the whole procedure (extraction, 23 zirconium crowns, all appointments) was around £8,000. My flights were about £650, hotel for 10 days was maybe £400, food and getting around was super cheap (probably £200 total). So all in i spent under £10k. In the UK i was quoted anywhere from £20k-£30k for the same work and most dentists wouldnt even take me seriously when i asked about it.

Vietnam itself was amazing btw. When i wasnt at appointments i explored the city a bit, ate SO much pho and banh mi (obsessed), got around using Grab which is like Uber but cheaper. The coffee there is incredible and costs like 50p. Everyone was friendly even with the language barrier and i felt really safe the whole time.

SmileJet made this entire process possible. From the initial consultations to arranging the clinic to coordinating with Linh to having her meet me at the airport and transport me everywhere – i couldnt have done any of this without them. Having that support while being in a foreign country by myself made all the difference. They answered every single one of my neurotic messages (and there were ALOT) and never made me feel like i was being annoying.

Would i do it again? Yes absolutely. Would i recommend it? 100% yes. If youve been hiding your teeth like i was, if UK dentists have been dismissive or too expensive, if youre considering dental tourism – just do it. I wasted 4 years wearing clip on veneers and being miserable and self conscious when i couldve had this done so much sooner.

My smile is genuinely beautiful now and im still getting used to it. I smile at everyone, i laugh without covering my mouth, i take photos without anxiety. Its completely life changing and im so grateful to SmileJet and the clinic team for making this happen.

If anyones thinking about this and has questions about the process, dealing with dental anxiety, what Vietnams like, how SmileJet coordinates everything – happy to answer. I want other people to know this is legit and its worth it and you dont have to live with terrible teeth if you cant get proper help at home.

Thank you thank you thank you to everyone involved in giving me my confidence back!