Treatment Considerations

Tooth Preparation and Sensitivity

• Preparing teeth for veneers usually requires the removal of a thin layer of enamel, which cannot be restored naturally.

• Tooth sensitivity: Some individuals may experience temporary or prolonged sensitivity to temperature or pressure following the procedure, which may result in need for additional treatment.

Veneer Durability and Appearance

• Veneer fracture or detachment: While porcelain or resin is durable, veneers can chip, crack or become dislodged over time, particularly in cases of heavy biting forces or habits like grinding or clenching.

• Colour mismatch or aesthetic dissatisfaction: Veneers are matched as closely as possible to natural teeth, but outcomes may not always meet expectations.

Gum and Oral Health

• Gum irritation or inflammation: Poor oral hygiene or improper fit can lead to gum issues around the veneered teeth.

• Need for replacement: Veneers are not permanent and may require replacement due to wear, damage, or changes in surrounding teeth or gums.

Post-Treatment Effects

• Post-operative complications: These can include discomfort, inflammation, or sensitivity, which in rare cases may persist.

• After treatment, your bite may feel unusual at first. Some people need a few adjustments to get everything feeling right.

Rare Reactions

• Rarely, some people have a reaction to the anaesthetic or materials we use. Please let us know about any allergies or medications before we begin.

Important Information

In conjunction with your veneer treatment, additional procedures such as gum recontouring or reshaping may be recommended. These treatments carry their own individual risks. For more information about the gum augmentation procedure, click here.

Any dental procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. There may be alternative treatment options available. We encourage our patients to ask the dentist questions and seek clarification on the procedure they are undertaking.

Generally, treatment is completed over 2 to 6 visits, depending on the complexity of your case. We expect you to continue your usual daily activities throughout the process; however, depending on the treatment and your individual response, there may be a chance that you will need to take some days off to rest and recover.

Healing and recovery times vary between individuals due to biological factors unique to you. Typically, full recovery and settling occur within two weeks after the procedure.

Ongoing maintenance and care of your restoration are essential. Your practitioner will provide a personalised maintenance schedule, which may involve additional costs beyond your initial treatment plan.

Orthodontic treatments using Invisalign or Clear Aligners may involve some of the following risks:

Treatment Considerations

• Failure to wear the appliances for the required number of hours per day, not using the product as directed by your dentist, missing appointments, and erupting or atypically shaped teeth can lengthen the treatment time and affect the ability to achieve the desired results.

• Treatment of severe open bite, severe overjet, mixed dentition, and/or skeletally narrow jaw may require supplemental treatment in addition to aligner treatment.

• Supplemental orthodontic treatment, including the use of bonded buttons, orthodontic elastics, auxiliary appliances/dental devices (e.g. temporary anchorage devices, sectional fixed appliances), and/or restorative dental procedures may be needed for more complicated treatment plans where aligners alone may not be adequate to achieve the desired outcome.

• General medical conditions and use of medications can affect orthodontic treatment.

Functional Adjustments

• Dental tenderness may be experienced after switching to the next aligner in the series.

• Gums, cheeks and lips may be scratched or irritated.

• The bite may change throughout the course of treatment and may result in temporary patient discomfort.

• Orthodontic aligners may cause a temporary increase in salivation or mouth dryness and certain medications can heighten this effect.

• The aligners may temporarily affect speech and may result in a lisp, although any speech impediment caused by the orthodontic appliance should disappear within one or two weeks.

Retention & Tooth Position Stability

• Teeth may shift position after treatment. Consistent wearing of retainers at the end of treatment should reduce this tendency.

Oral Health Risks

• Tooth decay, periodontal disease, inflammation of the gums or permanent markings (e.g. decalcification) may occur if patients consume foods or beverages containing sugar, do not brush and floss their teeth properly before wearing the orthodontic appliance, or do not use proper oral hygiene and preventative maintenance.

• Health of the bone and gums which support the teeth may be impaired or aggravated.

• If teeth have been crowded or overlapping for a long time, the gum between them may not fully grow back after the teeth are straightened, which can leave a small gap called a “black triangle.”

Attachments, Adjustments & Appliance Wear

• Attachments may be bonded to one or more teeth during the course of treatment to facilitate tooth movement and/or appliance retention. These will be removed after treatment is completed.

• Attachments may fall off and require replacement.

• Teeth may require interproximal recontouring or slenderising in order to create space needed for dental alignment to occur.

• In rare instances, slight superficial surface wear of the aligner may occur where patients may be grinding their teeth or where the teeth may be rubbing and is generally not a problem as overall aligner integrity and strength remains intact.

Bite Adjustments

• At the end of orthodontic treatment, the bite may require adjustment (“occlusal adjustment”).

Surgical & Pre-existing Condition Considerations

• Oral surgery may be necessary to correct crowding or severe jaw imbalances that are present prior to wearing orthodontic appliance. If oral surgery is required, risks associated with anaesthesia and proper healing must be taken into account prior to treatment.

• A tooth that has been previously traumatised, or significantly restored may be aggravated. In rare instances the life span of the tooth may be reduced, the tooth may require additional dental treatment such as endodontic and/or additional restorative work and the tooth may be lost.

Important Information

Any dental procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. There may be alternative treatment options available. We encourage our patients to ask the dentist questions and seek clarification on the procedure they are undertaking.

The time needed to complete treatment can vary depending on the complexity of the case and compliance with aligner wear. Orthodontic treatment is generally a long-term process, and wearing a retainer indefinitely afterwards is required to help maintain your tooth position over the long term. You may need to adjust some eating habits during treatment, but most people can continue their usual daily activities throughout the process.

If any discomfort appears, it is typically transient as you get used to the appliance and varies between individuals due to biological factors unique to you.

Ongoing maintenance and care of your orthodontic appliance is crucial. Your practitioner will provide a personalised maintenance schedule, which may involve additional costs beyond your initial treatment plan.

Traditional implants typically replace one or a few teeth, with each implant placed where a tooth is missing. All-on implants replace a full set of upper or lower teeth using 4–6 implants that support a full arch of teeth.

Dentists experienced in surgical procedures take meticulous care in planning each case, using 3D technology to help guide the treatment approach and minimise potential risks. However, some inherent risks remain with any surgical procedure that you should be aware of.

Before your surgical procedure, you may need to adjust or stop certain daily habits, such as smoking. In some cases, these changes need to be made well in advance to ensure your dental condition is stable before the procedure. To help preserve your treatment outcomes, long-term changes to your diet and habits may also be recommended. The specifics will vary between individuals, and your dentist will discuss what applies to your situation.

Surgical Risks

• The surgical procedure itself carries surgical risks, especially when operating in proximity to vital structures.

Upper Jaw:

• In the upper jaw, implants are often placed in poorer-quality bone and in close proximity to the sinuses.

• Possible complications include bone fracture, insufficient implant stability, or accidental entry or puncture of the sinus.

• These may require additional immediate or future procedures at additional costs.

Lower Jaw:

• In the lower jaw, implants are often placed in proximity to nerves that give sensation to the lip, chin, and tongue.

• Surgical intrusion or post-operative swelling may impinge upon nerves and result in altered or lost sensation to the lip, chin, and/or part of the tongue.

• Such complications are rare and, should they occur, are most likely to be temporary, but there is a slight chance of prolonged or permanent complications.

Post-Surgical Risks

• Sometimes, the stability of the planned implants in the remaining jawbone is unpredictable.

• If the implants do not possess sufficient stability, we may not be able to immediately load your implants with the prosthesis (bridge/crown).

• In this scenario, we may have to revert to using a temporary removable appliance for the healing period instead of having a fixed temporary prosthesis.

• The implants themselves are regarded as being fixed once successfully integrated into the bone and in favourable conditions.

• Occasionally implants fail.

• An implant is considered to have failed when it does not solidly bond (or integrate) with the bone or becomes detached from the bone. This can happen due to biological failure that cannot be predicted.

• Patients may not be aware of a failed implant and it is therefore crucial to have your implants monitored by your dentist with regular 4–6 monthly check-ups.

• A failed implant needs to be removed and replaced.

• In cases where there is an inadequate volume of bone to replace the implant, additional procedures may be necessary.

Recovery and what to expect post-surgery

• Swelling can be normal after your surgery and can be associated with discomfort or pain that can usually be managed with pain medication and is usually transient. Swelling typically does not reach its peak until day 4. The swelling and bruising should start decreasing after day 4, but please note each individual’s recovery period is different.

• Bleeding will occur following surgery and it is not uncommon to bleed for 24 to 48 hours following surgery.

• Pain and discomfort are expected following surgery and may be experienced for a couple of weeks. It is important you are taking your prescribed medication as recommended, to help ease your pain and discomfort. Every patient has a different level of pain threshold and will need to be managed accordingly.

• In most cases, you may perform your regular daily activities, avoiding strenuous activity of any type for 24–48 hours as this may cause the wound to bleed and increase swelling. Sporting activities or going to the gym are best avoided for up to 10 days.

• You may possibly feel tired and weak during the first 12–24 hours; this is not uncommon and rest is often the best cure.

• Smoking is absolutely detrimental to the healing process and may cause the entire treatment to fail or you may develop an infection or other complications.

• You may eat and drink following the procedure. We recommend eating cold and soft foods.

• You may need to take time off work or other regular activities to allow for recovery. It is advisable to have someone available to assist you during this period, particularly if your procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The specific risks related to anaesthesia will be discussed with you by your dentist and the anaesthetist.

Important Information

Any dental procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. There may be alternative treatment options available. We encourage our patients to ask the dentist questions and seek clarification on the procedure they are undertaking.

Generally, treatment is completed over 3 to 6 visits, depending on the complexity of your case. You may need to adjust your normal daily activities for the first few days. Depending on your treatment and how your body responds, you might also need to take some additional time off to rest and recover.

Healing and recovery times vary between individuals due to biological factors unique to you. Typically, full recovery and settling occur within two weeks after the procedure.

Ongoing maintenance and care of your implants and prosthesis is crucial. Your practitioner will provide a personalised maintenance schedule, which may involve additional costs beyond your initial treatment plan.

Pain and Discomfort

• Gum laser contouring is performed under local anesthetic. Some tenderness and sensitivity may be experienced once the anesthetic wears off, and this is a normal part of the healing process.

• Pain and discomfort following the procedure are typically mild and transient and can generally be managed with over-the-counter pain relief as directed by your dentist.

Healing and Recovery

• Healing time varies between individuals. Most patients recover within one to three weeks, though some may heal within a few days while others may require a little longer.

• During the recovery period, we recommend gentle brushing and soft, cool foods to support healing and minimize irritation to the treated area.

• You are generally able to return to work and your usual daily activities the following day; however, this will depend on your individual response to treatment.

Gum Regrowth

• In some cases, the gum tissue may partially grow back following laser contouring. Where this occurs, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled — typically two to four weeks after the initial procedure — to assess healing and perform any additional recontouring if required.

• The likelihood of regrowth varies between individuals and will be discussed with you during your consultation.

Infection and Wound Healing

• As with any procedure involving the soft tissue of the mouth, there is a small risk of infection during the healing period. Your dentist will provide you with specific aftercare instructions to minimize this risk.

• If you experience increasing pain, swelling, or any signs of infection following your procedure, please contact our practice promptly.

Sensitivity

• Some patients experience temporary sensitivity in the treated area and surrounding teeth following the procedure. This typically resolves as the tissue heals.

Aesthetic Outcomes

• While every effort is made to achieve a balanced and symmetrical result, outcomes can vary depending on individual anatomy, healing response, and the extent of the procedure.

• In some cases, additional recontouring may be required to achieve the desired result, which may involve further appointments and associated costs.

Rare Reactions

• Rarely, some patients may experience an unexpected reaction to the anesthetic or materials used. Please inform your dentist of any known allergies or medications before your procedure begins.

Important Information

Any dental procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. There may be alternative treatment options available. We encourage our patients to ask questions and seek clarification on the procedure they are undertaking.

Generally, gum laser contouring can be completed in a single visit, with a follow-up review scheduled approximately two to four weeks later to assess healing. Most patients are able to continue their usual daily activities the following day; however, recovery times vary between individuals due to biological factors unique to you.

Ongoing maintenance and care of your gum health following treatment is important. Your practitioner will provide guidance on your recovery and any recommended follow-up, which may involve additional costs beyond your initial treatment plan.

Before Your Treatment

Good oral health is the foundation of a successful whitening outcome. We recommend attending a check-up and professional clean before your whitening appointment to ensure your teeth and gums are in the best possible condition prior to treatment.

Sensitivity

• It is possible that you may experience some sensitivity during or after your whitening treatment. This typically presents as a temporary reaction to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli and generally resolves on its own within a short period following treatment.

• Please inform your dentist of any pre-existing sensitivity before treatment begins, as this may influence the approach recommended for you.

Longevity of Results

• Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment. How long your results last will depend on your lifestyle habits, dietary choices, and the natural characteristics of your teeth.

• Some patients may notice gradual fading after three to six months. Your take-home whitening kit can be used periodically to maintain your results over time, as directed by your dentist.

Dietary Considerations

• In the days following your whitening treatment, we recommend avoiding dark-colored foods and drinks for a minimum of three days. This includes tea, coffee, red wine, tomato-based sauces, beetroot, curries, and soy sauce. Diluting drinks or using a straw will not reduce staining during this period, so avoidance is recommended where possible.

Uneven Whitening

• Results may vary across different teeth. Existing dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, or composite fillings do not respond to whitening agents and will retain their current shade. Your dentist will discuss this with you during your consultation so that your expectations are well-informed before treatment begins.

Gum Irritation

• Some patients experience temporary gum irritation if the whitening agent comes into contact with the surrounding soft tissue. This is typically mild and resolves quickly following treatment.

Important Information

Any dental procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. There may be alternative treatment options available. We encourage our patients to ask questions and seek clarification on the procedure they are undertaking.

In most cases, your initial whitening treatment can be completed in a single visit. You may need to modify your usual dietary habits in the days following treatment to help preserve your results, and your dentist may recommend continuing with at-home whitening as prescribed.

Ongoing maintenance and care of your oral health is essential. Your practitioner will provide a personalized maintenance schedule, which may involve additional costs beyond your initial treatment plan.