Clinical Risks &
Patient Information

As part of your veneer treatment, additional procedures such as reshaping or recontouring of the gum tissues may be recommended to optimise the final aesthetic and functional result. These procedures involve separate clinical considerations and carry their own specific risks, which are outlined in the dedicated section relating to gum procedures on this website.

All dental treatment involves a degree of risk. You are entitled to seek a second opinion from another appropriately qualified practitioner before proceeding. Alternative treatment options may exist. We strongly encourage patients to ask questions and ensure they fully understand the nature of the proposed treatment.

Veneer treatment is commonly completed over two to six appointments, depending on the complexity of your case. Most patients are able to continue their normal daily activities during treatment. However, depending on the procedure performed and your individual healing response, short periods of rest or modified activity may occasionally be required.

Healing and adaptation times vary between individuals. In most cases, the teeth and surrounding tissues stabilise within approximately two weeks following treatment.

Long-term success depends on ongoing maintenance. Your dentist will advise you on a personalised review and maintenance schedule. Additional appointments and associated fees may be required over time to maintain your restorations.

Placement of veneers generally requires the controlled removal of a small amount of natural enamel. Once removed, enamel does not regenerate.

Sensitivity and nerve response: Following tooth preparation and cementation, some patients experience sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure. In most cases this is temporary and settles as the tooth adapts.

Pulp irritation and root canal treatment: In rare instances, the dental nerve inside the tooth may become inflamed or damaged as a result of preparation, existing cracks, deep restorations, or individual biological response. If the nerve does not recover, further treatment such as root canal therapy may become necessary either shortly after treatment or at a later stage.

Chipping, cracking, or loosening: While veneers are designed to be strong and durable, they are not immune to damage. Fracture, wear, or debonding may occur, particularly in patients who clench, grind, or have heavy bite forces.

Aesthetic outcome: Every effort is made to match colour, shape, and size to surrounding teeth. However, perception of aesthetics is subjective, and the final appearance may not always meet individual expectations.

Gum inflammation: Inadequate oral hygiene, plaque accumulation, or an ill-fitting restoration may lead to redness, swelling, bleeding, recession, or discomfort of the gums around veneered teeth.

Future replacement: Veneers are not lifetime restorations. Over time, they may require repair or replacement due to wear, fracture, gum changes, or changes in the underlying tooth structure.

Post-operative symptoms: Temporary discomfort, swelling, or sensitivity is common after treatment. In rare cases, these symptoms may be prolonged.

Bite awareness: Following placement, your bite may feel different. Minor adjustments may be required to achieve a comfortable and stable bite relationship.

On rare occasions, patients may experience an adverse reaction to local anaesthetic or dental materials. Please inform your dentist of any known allergies, medical conditions, or medications prior to treatment.

All dental treatment carries inherent risks. Before proceeding with gum recontouring, you may wish to seek a second opinion from another appropriately qualified health practitioner. Not all patients are suitable candidates for this procedure, and a full clinical assessment by a qualified dentist is required before treatment can be recommended.

Alternative treatment options may be available depending on your individual circumstances. We encourage all patients to ask questions and ensure they fully understand the nature, benefits, limitations, and risks of the proposed procedure.

The information below provides general guidance only. Each patient’s anatomy, healing response, and treatment plan are different, and your dentist will discuss the risks and expectations specific to your case during your consultation.

Gum recontouring, also known as gum reshaping or gum lift surgery, is a procedure performed to reduce the height of the gum tissue and improve the appearance of the smile line. It is most commonly undertaken for aesthetic reasons, such as in cases of excessive gum display (“gummy smile”), where the gums cover more of the teeth than desired.

This surgical procedure allows precise removal and reshaping of the gum tissue while promoting haemostasis and controlled healing.

Gum recontouring may be performed as a standalone procedure or in conjunction with other treatments, such as veneers or crowns, to optimise the overall smile outcome.

You will be provided with individualised instructions before and after treatment. It is essential to inform your dentist if you take blood-thinning medications or have any medical conditions that may affect healing, as medication adjustments may be required prior to surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Discomfort and redness: Mild to moderate soreness, tenderness, and redness of the gums are common after treatment and are usually temporary. These symptoms typically settle within one to five days, depending on the extent of the procedure.

Pain management: Your dentist may recommend pain relief medication and specific after-care measures to assist with comfort and healing.

Healing time: With appropriate care, the soft tissues usually heal progressively over four to six weeks.

Bleeding and swelling: Some bleeding and swelling are common during the early healing phase. The amount varies between individuals. If bleeding or swelling is excessive or persistent, you should contact Bond St. Dental for review.

Uneven healing: Gum tissue may not always heal evenly. In some cases, further minor adjustments may be required to refine the final gum contour.

Tissue relapse: In certain cases, gum tissue may partially regrow or change shape over time.

Shrinkage or overgrowth: If gum recession or regrowth occurs following treatment, additional procedures may be necessary. Additional fees may apply for further treatment.

Long-term success depends on good oral hygiene and regular professional reviews. Your dentist will advise you on a personalised maintenance and review schedule. Additional appointments and ongoing care may involve further costs beyond your initial treatment plan.

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to improve the brightness and overall colour of natural teeth. While whitening is widely regarded as safe when performed under professional supervision, not all patients are suitable candidates and individual results may vary.

All dental treatment carries inherent risks. Before proceeding, you may wish to seek a second opinion from another appropriately qualified health practitioner. A full dental assessment is required before whitening treatment can be recommended. Alternative treatment options may be available depending on your individual circumstances.

The information below provides general guidance only. Each patient’s teeth, existing restorations, lifestyle habits, and biological response are different, and your dentist will discuss what you can expect in your specific case during your consultation.

Professional whitening aims to lighten natural tooth enamel and reduce discolouration caused by food, beverages, smoking, medications, or ageing. The degree of whitening achieved varies between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.

Existing dental restorations such as fillings, crowns, veneers, or bonding do not change colour with whitening treatment and may appear darker relative to the whitened natural teeth. Replacement of restorations may be required to achieve a uniform colour match.

For best results, good oral health and hygiene are essential. A dental examination and professional clean are usually recommended before commencing whitening treatment.

Following whitening, the enamel is temporarily more susceptible to staining. To reduce the risk of rapid re-staining, you are advised to avoid dark-coloured foods and beverages for approximately three days, including but not limited to:

• Tea and coffee
• Red wine
• Tomato-based sauces and curries
• Soy sauce
• Beetroot and strongly pigmented foods

Using a straw or diluting beverages does not reliably prevent staining.

Teeth whitening is not permanent. The duration of your results depends on lifestyle habits, diet, smoking, and the natural characteristics of your teeth.

Some patients notice gradual colour relapse within three to six months. If take-home whitening trays are provided as part of your treatment, they may be used to maintain your results over time.

Whitening sensitivity: Temporary sensitivity to hot, cold, or air is common during and after whitening. This usually resolves on its own within a short period.

Gum irritation: Mild gum irritation may occur if whitening gel contacts the soft tissues. This is usually temporary.

In rare cases, sensitivity may be more pronounced and may require modification or discontinuation of treatment.

In many cases, in-chair whitening can be completed in a single visit. Additional at-home treatment may be recommended to optimise or maintain your result.

You may need to modify your diet temporarily and follow specific after-care instructions to achieve and preserve the desired outcome.

Long-term success depends on good oral hygiene and regular professional care. Your dentist will advise you on a personalised maintenance program. Additional whitening treatments and ongoing care may involve further costs beyond your initial treatment plan.

Orthodontic treatment using clear aligners is a highly effective method of straightening teeth; however, as with all dental and medical procedures, certain risks and limitations apply.

All dental treatment carries inherent risks. Before commencing treatment, you may wish to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Alternative treatment options may be available. We encourage all patients to ask questions and ensure they fully understand the nature, benefits, and limitations of the proposed treatment.

The length of treatment varies depending on the complexity of your case, your individual biological response, and your compliance with wearing the aligners as prescribed. Orthodontic treatment is typically a long-term process. Following completion, long-term or indefinite retainer wear is usually required to help maintain the corrected tooth positions.

Most patients can continue their normal daily activities during treatment. Minor dietary modifications may be required, particularly when aligners are in place.

Mild discomfort is common when starting treatment or progressing to a new aligner. This usually settles as the teeth adapt and varies between individuals.

Long-term success depends on regular monitoring and ongoing maintenance. Your dentist or orthodontist will provide a personalised review schedule. Additional appointments or costs may be required beyond your initial treatment plan.

Treatment effectiveness: Failure to wear aligners for the prescribed number of hours per day, missed appointments, or incorrect use of the appliance may prolong treatment time and reduce the ability to achieve the planned result.

Complex cases: Certain bite problems, including severe crowding, large overjets, open bites, mixed dentition, or narrow jaws, may not be fully correctable with aligners alone and may require additional or alternative treatment.

Supplementary appliances: In more complex cases, additional orthodontic aids such as attachments, elastics, bonded buttons, auxiliary appliances, temporary anchorage devices, sectional fixed appliances, or restorative dental procedures may be required to achieve the desired outcome.

Medical factors: General health conditions and the use of certain medications may influence tooth movement and the progress of orthodontic treatment.

Tooth tenderness: Sensitivity or tenderness is common when changing to a new aligner and usually resolves as the teeth adjust.

Soft tissue irritation: The gums, cheeks, lips, or tongue may become temporarily irritated by the appliance.
Bite changes: The way your teeth meet may change throughout treatment and may cause temporary discomfort or altered chewing.

Salivation changes: Some patients experience increased salivation or mouth dryness. Certain medications may increase this effect.

Speech changes: Temporary changes in speech, including a mild lisp, may occur when first wearing aligners. This usually resolves within one to two weeks.

Relapse: Teeth have a natural tendency to move after orthodontic treatment. Consistent and ongoing retainer wear is essential to reduce the risk of relapse.

Decay and gum disease: Tooth decay, gum inflammation, periodontal disease, or permanent enamel changes may occur if oral hygiene is inadequate or if sugary foods and drinks are consumed frequently while aligners are worn.

Bone and gum health: The supporting bone and gum tissues may be affected or aggravated during tooth movement.

Black triangles: If teeth have been crowded or overlapped for a long time, the gum tissue between them may not completely fill in after alignment, leaving small triangular spaces between teeth.

Attachments: Tooth-coloured attachments may be bonded to certain teeth to assist with tooth movement. These are removed at the end of treatment.\

Attachment loss: Attachments may occasionally detach and require replacement.

Interproximal reduction: Small amounts of enamel may be reshaped between teeth to create space for alignment.
Aligner wear: In rare cases, minor surface wear of aligners may occur, particularly in patients who grind or clench. This generally does not affect overall appliance strength or performance.

Occlusal adjustment: Minor reshaping of biting surfaces may be required at the completion of treatment to achieve a stable and comfortable bite.

In conjunction with implant or full-arch treatment, additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus augmentation may be required to create adequate bone support for implant placement. These procedures involve separate risks and considerations, which are outlined in the dedicated sections relating to bone grafting and sinus lift procedures on this website.

All dental and surgical treatment carries inherent risks. You may wish to seek a second opinion from another appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding. Alternative treatment options may be available. We encourage all patients to ask questions and ensure they fully understand the nature, benefits, limitations, and risks of the proposed treatment.

Implant treatment is commonly completed over three to six appointments, depending on the complexity of your case. Following surgery, you may need to temporarily modify your normal activities. Some patients require additional time away from work or physical activity to allow for recovery.

Healing and recovery times vary between individuals due to biological and medical factors unique to each patient. In most cases, initial healing occurs within approximately two weeks, although full bone integration requires a longer period.

Long-term success depends on regular monitoring and maintenance. Your dentist will provide a personalised review and hygiene schedule. Additional appointments, radiographs, and professional cleaning may be required and may involve ongoing costs beyond your initial treatment plan.

Dental implants may be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or, in the case of full-arch rehabilitation, an entire upper or lower set of teeth supported by multiple implants.

Full-arch implant treatments commonly use four to six implants to support a fixed bridge that replaces all teeth in one jaw.

Implant treatment requires careful planning and precise surgical execution. Modern three-dimensional imaging and digital planning are routinely used to guide implant placement and reduce surgical risk. Despite careful planning, implant surgery remains a surgical procedure and carries inherent risks.

Prior to surgery, you may be advised to modify certain habits, such as smoking or alcohol intake. In some cases, these changes must begin well in advance to optimise healing and reduce the risk of complications. Long-term lifestyle modifications may also be recommended to protect the longevity of your implants. Your dentist will advise you on which changes apply to your individual situation.

Implant placement is performed in close proximity to important anatomical structures and carries surgical risks.

Upper Jaw:

• The bone in the upper jaw is often less dense and is located close to the maxillary sinuses.
• Possible complications include inadequate implant stability, bone fracture, or unintended communication with the sinus cavity.
• These complications may require additional immediate or future surgical procedures.

Lower Jaw:

• Implants in the lower jaw are placed near nerves that supply sensation to the lip, chin, and tongue.
  Surgical trauma or post-operative swelling may place pressure on these nerves and result in altered, reduced, or lost sensation.
• These complications are uncommon and are most often temporary; however, there is a small risk of prolonged or permanent sensory disturbance.

Initial stability: The quality and volume of bone may affect the stability of implants at the time of placement. If sufficient stability is not achieved, immediate loading with a fixed bridge or crown may not be possible.

Temporary prosthesis: In such cases, a removable temporary appliance may be required during the healing phase instead of a fixed temporary restoration.

Osseointegration failure: Occasionally, an implant fails to integrate with the surrounding bone. This may occur due to biological factors that cannot be reliably predicted.

Implant failure: A failed implant may become loose or detach from the bone and must be removed. Replacement may require additional healing time and, in some cases, further bone grafting.

Monitoring: Implant failure may not always cause pain or obvious symptoms. Regular clinical and radiographic reviews, typically every four to six months, are essential to detect early problems.

Swelling and bruising: Swelling and facial bruising are common following surgery and usually peak around day three to four, before gradually subsiding. The extent and duration vary between individuals.

Bleeding: Oozing or light bleeding is common for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

Pain and discomfort: Discomfort is expected following surgery and may persist for several days to weeks. Prescribed pain medication should be taken as directed.

Fatigue: Tiredness or weakness during the first 12 to 24 hours is common and usually improves with rest.
Activity restriction: Light daily activities may usually be resumed within one to two days. Strenuous activity, sport, and gym training should be avoided for up to 10 days, as this may increase bleeding and swelling.

Diet: Soft, cool foods are recommended during the early healing phase. Hot, hard, or spicy foods should be avoided initially.

Smoking: Smoking significantly impairs healing and markedly increases the risk of infection, implant failure, and long-term complications. Smoking cessation is strongly recommended before and after surgery.

Time off work: Some patients may require time away from work or regular duties. It is advisable to arrange assistance following surgery, particularly if sedation or general anaesthesia is used.

If your procedure is performed under intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia, additional risks related to anaesthetic medications and airway management apply. These risks will be discussed with you separately by your dentist and the anaesthetist prior to treatment.

All dental and surgical treatment carries inherent risks. Before proceeding with sinus augmentation or bone grafting, you may wish to seek a second opinion from another appropriately qualified health practitioner. Not all patients are suitable candidates for these procedures, and a comprehensive clinical assessment by a qualified dentist is required before treatment can be recommended.

Alternative treatment options may be available depending on your individual circumstances. We encourage all patients to ask questions and ensure they fully understand the nature, benefits, limitations, and risks of the proposed procedure.

The information below provides general guidance only. Each patient’s anatomy, medical history, and healing response are different, and your dentist will discuss the risks and expectations specific to your case during your consultation.

For successful dental implant placement, an adequate volume and quality of bone is required. In some patients, natural bone levels are insufficient to support an implant securely. In these situations, your dentist may recommend bone grafting, sinus augmentation, or a combination of both.

Bone grafting involves placing graft material into areas of deficient bone to encourage the formation of new supporting bone. The graft material may consist of processed donor bone, synthetic bone substitutes, or, in some cases, bone taken from another site in your body.

When implants are planned in the upper jaw near the sinus cavity, a sinus augmentation (sinus lift) may be required. This procedure gently elevates the sinus membrane and places graft material beneath it. Over time, your body forms new bone around the graft, creating a stable foundation for future implant placement.

Common reasons for reduced bone volume include:

• Long-standing tooth loss
• Gum disease (periodontal disease)
• Enlargement of the sinus cavity
• Natural ageing changes
• Previous infection or trauma

These procedures may be performed as a separate surgery before implant placement or at the same time as implant surgery, depending on your individual circumstances.

Sinus augmentation and bone grafting are surgical procedures performed close to important anatomical structures, including the sinuses and nerves. As with any surgery, specific risks apply.

Sinus membrane perforation: A small tear in the sinus lining may occur during surgery. Minor perforations are often repaired at the time of surgery, but larger defects may require additional treatment or delay implant placement.

Infection or inflammation: Infection is an uncommon but recognised risk following surgery. Careful adherence to post-operative instructions reduces this risk.

Swelling and bruising: Facial swelling, bruising, and tenderness are common after surgery and usually improve within several days to one week.

Delayed bone formation: The grafted area may require several months to mature before an implant can be placed.

Sinus-related symptoms: In rare cases, patients may experience sinus congestion, infection, or ongoing sinus discomfort following the procedure.

Post-operative discomfort: Mild to moderate pain at the surgical site is common and usually controlled with prescribed medication.

Incomplete graft integration: In some cases, the grafted bone may not fully integrate with the existing bone. This may delay or prevent implant placement.

Swelling and bruising: These are common after graft surgery and typically resolve within a few days.

Donor site discomfort: If bone is taken from another area of your body, that donor site may also experience soreness or temporary discomfort.

Delayed healing: Healing times vary between individuals, and implant placement may need to be postponed until sufficient bone has formed.

Need for further treatment: If the graft does not achieve the required bone volume or stability, additional grafting procedures may be necessary.

Activity modification: Most procedures are completed in a single visit. You may need to modify your normal activities for the first few days to allow for healing. Additional time off work or physical activity may be required depending on your recovery.

Healing timeframe: Initial soft tissue healing typically occurs within one to two weeks, although full bone maturation takes longer.

Smoking: Smoking significantly impairs healing and increases the risk of infection and graft failure. You are strongly advised not to smoke until healing is complete.

Sutures: Dissolvable sutures are commonly used and may remain in place for two to three weeks.

Graft particles: Following bone grafting, you may notice small granules in your mouth that resemble grains of sand. This can occur during early healing and usually reduces over time

Long-term success depends on good oral hygiene and regular professional review. Your dentist will advise you on a personalised maintenance and review schedule. Additional appointments, imaging, and care may be required and may involve further costs beyond your initial treatment plan.