This information describes potential risks and limitations, including uncommon but significant complications. Risks vary with medical history, oral health and treatment complexity. Your treating registered practitioner will explain material risks, alternatives, expected costs and recovery before consent. No outcome is guaranteed.
Dental examinations are generally low risk. Examination or probing may cause temporary discomfort or minor gum bleeding. X-rays, when clinically indicated, involve a small radiation exposure. A check-up cannot detect every condition, and further tests or referrals may be needed.
Temporary tooth sensitivity, gum tenderness and minor bleeding can occur. Cleaning may reveal existing gum recession, gaps or loose teeth previously concealed by deposits. Deep cleaning may require local anaesthetic and follow-up; gum disease can persist or recur.
Sensitivity to temperature or biting, discomfort, altered bite, staining, wear, chipping or loss of the filling may occur. Deep decay can lead to nerve inflammation and later root canal treatment or extraction. Large fillings may not prevent future fracture or decay.
Pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection and dry socket can occur. Adjacent teeth or restorations may be damaged; root fragments may remain. Upper extractions can occasionally affect the sinus; lower extractions can rarely cause temporary or persistent altered sensation from nerve injury.
Risks include pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, dry socket, jaw stiffness and delayed healing. There is a risk of injury to nearby teeth and, particularly for lower wisdom teeth, temporary or occasionally permanent numbness or altered sensation of the lip, chin or tongue. Upper wisdom tooth surgery can involve the sinus.
Children may experience anxiety, discomfort, temporary sensitivity, gum bleeding or reactions to dental materials or local anaesthetic. Fillings and other treatments can fail or require further care. If sedation or general anaesthesia is proposed, additional risks and consent processes apply.
Temporary tooth sensitivity and gum or soft-tissue irritation are common. Results vary, existing fillings/crowns do not whiten, and colour can relapse. Whitening may be unsuitable with untreated decay, gum disease or certain tooth conditions.
Tooth tenderness, mouth irritation, speech changes and temporary discomfort may occur. Risks include gum recession, decay or gum disease with inadequate hygiene, root shortening, bite changes and unpredictable tooth movement. Attachments may detach; refinements or additional treatment may be required, and retainers are needed to limit relapse.
Preparation may involve irreversible removal of enamel. Risks include sensitivity, gum irritation, chipping, fracture, debonding, colour mismatch and future replacement. Deep preparation or pre-existing tooth disease can occasionally require root canal treatment. Veneers do not prevent decay or gum disease.
Crowns may require irreversible tooth reduction. Risks include temporary or ongoing sensitivity, gum irritation, bite discomfort, chipping, fracture, loosening, decay at the crown margin and eventual replacement. Some teeth later require root canal treatment or extraction.
Implant placement involves surgery. Risks include pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, injury to adjacent structures, nerve injury with altered sensation, and sinus complications in the upper jaw. The implant may fail to integrate or later loosen; gum inflammation, bone loss and peri-implantitis can occur. Additional grafting or replacement may be necessary.
Risks include those of implant surgery, including infection, nerve or sinus injury and implant failure. Bridges can chip, fracture, loosen or become difficult to clean; inflammation and bone loss can develop around implants. Repairs, replacement and ongoing maintenance may be required.
Implant surgery carries risks of bleeding, infection, nerve or sinus injury and implant failure. Attachments can wear or loosen; the denture may fracture, rub or need relining. Peri-implant inflammation, bone loss and ongoing maintenance or replacement are possible.
Full-arch implant rehabilitation is complex surgery. Risks include bleeding, infection, swelling, bruising, nerve injury, sinus complications, implant failure and complications from extractions, bone grafting or sedation where used. Temporary or final prostheses may fracture, loosen or affect speech, chewing or cleaning. Additional surgery, repairs, replacement and long-term maintenance may be necessary.
A repaired denture may remain weaker at the fracture site and can break again. Fit or bite may change; additional adjustment or replacement may be needed. A repair cannot correct all underlying causes of breakage.
Temporary soreness, pressure spots, gagging, speech changes and altered bite may occur. A reline may not solve poor denture stability or severe jawbone changes. Further adjustments or a new denture may be required.
Possible effects include sore spots, gum irritation, speech changes, increased saliva, gagging and chewing difficulties during adaptation. Clasps may stress supporting teeth, trap plaque or contribute to decay and gum disease without careful hygiene. The denture or clasps may fracture or require adjustment.
Surgical risks include infection, bleeding, swelling, nerve or sinus injury and implant failure. Attachments and denture components may wear, loosen or break; peri-implant inflammation and bone loss can occur. Regular cleaning, reviews, adjustments and possible replacement are required.