Orthodontic extrusion in Turkey: what it is and how it works
Orthodontic extrusion, also called forced eruption, is a treatment in which a tooth is slowly pulled upward out of its socket with light, continuous force from braces, a small elastic or a wire. When a tooth moves, the bone and gum around the root follow it, so the edge of a broken tooth that was buried at gum level can be brought to a height where a dentist can build a crown on it. The movement is slow, usually around one millimetre a week, because the supporting tissues need time to adapt. The method is used by orthodontists, often together with a restorative dentist or periodontist, and is available in dental clinics in Turkey.
This guide explains when extrusion is chosen, how it differs from crown lengthening and from extraction and an implant, what each stage involves, what it costs compared with the UK, US and Germany, and what to ask a clinic. For other dental options see our page on dental treatments in Turkey.
When is orthodontic extrusion recommended?
There are three main uses. The first is a tooth broken or decayed below the gum line, where there is not enough healthy tooth above the gum to hold a crown. A crown needs a collar of sound tooth to grip, which dentists call the ferrule, and extrusion creates it without removing bone. The second is preparing a site for a dental implant: a hopeless tooth is extruded for several weeks so that the bone and gum rise with it, giving more bone and a better gum contour once the tooth is removed. The third is an impacted or partly erupted tooth, such as a canine, that needs to be guided into the arch.
It is also used for deep cracks, root fractures close to the gum and for cases where the gum margin of a front tooth must be matched to its neighbours for appearance. It is not needed for an ordinary filling or a crown on a tooth with plenty of healthy structure.
Orthodontic extrusion or crown lengthening: which suits a broken tooth?
Crown lengthening is a small gum operation: the dentist removes gum and some bone around the tooth so that more of the root becomes visible above the gum. It is quick, but it takes away bone, can make the tooth look longer than its neighbours and can leave a gap-like space or sensitivity. Extrusion moves the tooth instead of trimming the bone, which is why it is preferred where appearance matters or the tooth is in the smile line. See our guide to crown lengthening for the surgical route.
| Option | Suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodontic extrusion | Front teeth and single teeth where bone and gum level must be kept | Takes weeks; needs braces and a stabilisation period; root must be long enough |
| Crown lengthening | Back teeth and cases needing a quick result | Removes bone; can create uneven gum line |
| Extraction and dental implant | Roots too short or split to save | Longer treatment; surgery; higher cost |
The decision depends on the position of the break, the length and shape of the root, the smile line and your time in Turkey. Extrusion takes longer than surgery, so ask whether part of it can be done at home before you travel.
Who is and who is not a good candidate?
Good candidates have a tooth with a long enough healthy root, no active infection around it and a root canal treatment already done, since the tooth is usually treated before it is moved. Healthy gums and good oral hygiene are important, because braces make cleaning harder. Extrusion is not suitable if the root is too short, if the fracture runs deep into the root, if the tooth is loose from gum disease or if a patient cannot attend regular adjustment visits. Smokers and people with uncontrolled diabetes heal more slowly and may be advised against it. A cone-beam scan or X-ray tells the dentist whether it will work.
How is orthodontic extrusion done step by step?
First the tooth is assessed with X-rays, and a root canal filling is usually completed. A small attachment is bonded to the tooth, sometimes with a post bonded into the canal to give the elastic something to pull on. An orthodontic wire or elastic then applies a light upward force. Visits every one to two weeks allow the dentist to adjust the force and watch the movement; extrusion often takes three to eight weeks, depending on how far the tooth must move. Many dentists add a small gum fibre release (fibrotomy) in the process to stop the tissue being dragged up with the tooth.
The final stage is stabilisation. The tooth is held in its new position for four to eight weeks so that bone fills in around the root; without this, it tends to drift back. A temporary crown is often placed, and only then is the final crown made. Clear aligners can move some teeth, but teeth needing a large vertical movement usually need fixed braces; compare options in our guides to braces and Invisalign.
Orthodontic extrusion cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures below are approximate ranges for the extrusion stage alone, not hospital quotes. They do not include the root canal treatment, post, final crown or any implant. Each clinic confirms its own price in a written plan.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €150 – €700 |
| United Kingdom | €500 – €2,000 |
| United States | €600 – €3,000 |
| Germany | €400 – €1,800 |
What changes the price: the number of teeth, the appliance (a single bonded attachment versus full braces), the number of adjustment visits, additional treatments such as fibrotomy, and whether the crown, post and root canal are included. Because extrusion takes weeks, the full cost of the plan often includes visits at home; ask for a clear breakdown of what is done abroad and what is not, and who will cover adjustments if something goes wrong.
How long does treatment take, and what is the recovery like?
Total time from the first appliance to the final crown is usually about two to four months. Active extrusion takes three to eight weeks, stabilisation four to eight weeks, then the crown. There is no recovery in the surgical sense. The tooth may feel tender or slightly high for a few days after each adjustment, and soft food helps. Pain is generally mild and responds to simple painkillers. Brushing carefully around the appliance matters, as inflamed gums slow the process.
For travellers this is the main practical point: a single visit is rarely enough. Options include starting the extrusion at home and travelling for the crown, or staying for a longer period, or doing the preparation abroad with a local dentist for the weekly adjustments. A clinic should plan this with you in writing before you book flights.
What results can you realistically expect?
If it goes well, the tooth sits at the right height, the gum margin matches the neighbouring teeth and the final crown has a healthy tooth collar to grip. The treatment aims to save a tooth, not to improve how it looks, but the finished crown can look natural when the gum line has been preserved. Photographs before and after often show a tooth that was almost buried and is now visible at the gum edge. Extruded teeth can relapse if not held long enough, and the crown-to-root ratio changes slightly because the tooth is pulled out, so very short roots may not be suitable. A dentist should tell you honestly if saving the tooth has a poor outlook.
Risks and complications of orthodontic extrusion
The main problems are relapse (the tooth moves back), gum recession or an uneven gum line, root resorption (shortening of the root) with excessive force, tenderness, a tooth that becomes loose or fails to move because it is fused to the bone (ankylosis), and failure to save the tooth if a root fracture is found. Braces can also cause decalcification marks and gum inflammation if cleaning is poor. The American Association of Orthodontists and the NHS both stress good oral hygiene and regular checks during orthodontic treatment. Ask what the clinic will do if the tooth cannot be saved, including the cost of the alternative.
How to choose a dentist and clinic, and questions to ask
Look for a clinic with an orthodontist or a dentist with orthodontic experience, access to a cone-beam scan, a restorative dentist for the crown and a periodontist if gum surgery is needed. Ask for a written plan that lists each stage, who does it, how many visits are needed and the total price. Red flags include a promise that a tooth can always be saved, no X-rays before the plan, no explanation of alternatives, pressure to pay in full in advance and a plan that ignores the weeks needed for movement. Read how our process works and request a plan through our free quote page.
- Is extrusion suitable for this tooth, or would crown lengthening or an implant be more reliable?
- How long will each stage take, and can any of it be done at home?
- What is the price of the extrusion, the root canal, the post and the final crown?
- What happens if the tooth relapses or cannot be saved?
- Who will check the tooth and make adjustments after I return home?
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
Orthodontic extrusion, or forced eruption, is a treatment in which a tooth is slowly pulled upward with braces or elastics so that a broken tooth edge below the gum can be brought into a position where it can hold a crown.
Light, continuous force moves the tooth out of its socket, and the surrounding bone and gum follow. The movement is about a millimetre a week, followed by a few weeks of stabilisation so that the tooth stays in its new place.
Approximate ranges are €150 to €700 in Turkey, against about €500 to €2,000 in the UK. The price excludes the root canal, post and final crown, and depends on the appliance and number of visits; the clinic confirms it in writing.
Active extrusion usually takes three to eight weeks, followed by four to eight weeks of stabilisation before the final crown. The whole process is typically two to four months, depending on how far the tooth must move.
Most people feel mild pressure or tenderness for a few days after each adjustment. This is generally controlled with soft food and simple painkillers. Severe or lasting pain should be checked by your dentist.
Neither suits everyone. Extrusion keeps bone and gum level, which helps in the smile line, but takes weeks. Crown lengthening is quicker but removes bone and can leave an uneven gum line. A dentist should explain which fits your tooth.
Clear aligners can move some teeth upward in small steps, but larger vertical movements usually need fixed braces or a bonded attachment and elastic. The dentist chooses the appliance based on how far the tooth must move.
It is generally safe when force is light and the tooth is monitored. Risks include relapse, gum changes, root shortening and a tooth that does not move. Regular checks and good cleaning reduce these problems.
Yes. Extruding a hopeless tooth for several weeks lets the bone and gum rise with it, so there is more tissue when the tooth is removed and an implant is placed. Your dentist will decide if this is appropriate for you.
A single short trip is rarely enough because the movement takes weeks. Clinics usually plan a start abroad and adjustments at home, or a longer stay, and a final trip for the crown. Ask for a written timeline before booking.