Treatment Considerations & Risks

Eligibility Criteria

• Orthodontic treatments are aimed at correcting the bite, jaw and teeth position, such as crooked teeth, spacing concerns, bite issues, or jaw development irregularities.
• Treatment planning and available options depend on factors such as age, jaw growth, oral hygiene, and the complexity of tooth movement required. 
• Different systems such as braces, clear aligners, expanders or myofunctional appliances may be recommended depending on individual needs.
• Patients need preliminary dental treatment before orthodontic care if decay, gum disease, or other oral health concerns are present.
• While the majority of common orthodontic concerns are managed by our clinicians in-house, some complex orthodontic cases may require a referral or a collaborative treatment planning approach.
• Additional eligibility criteria and treatment risks may apply depending on the individual case. A consultation with a suitably registered dental practitioner is required to assess your condition, treatment options and associated risks.

What to Expect After Treatment Begins

• Teeth and gums may feel tender or sensitive after appliance placement, adjustments or transition to the next set of appliances in the treatment plan series. These changes are generally temporary in nature and are caused by the new pressure used to gradually move teeth into their desired position.
• During the initial period of orthodontic treatment, some patients may experience lisp or difficulty eating. These effects generally resolve within a few days to weeks as the mouth and tongue adjusts to the appliance. 
• Minor irritation to the lips, cheeks, or tongue may occur during the treatment. 
• Treatment progress can vary depending on how the teeth and jaws respond over time, as well as the patient’s compliance with the treatment plan and regular appointments.
• Patients should attend regular review appointments to monitor progress and appliance fit

Risks and Ongoing Care

• Poor oral hygiene during treatment will increase the risk of tooth decay, gum inflammation, or staining around appliances. It is important to treat any existing dental issues before starting orthodontic treatment, maintain good oral hygiene while wearing appliances and attend regular check-ups and cleans. 
• Orthodontic treatment may relapse or take longer if provided instructions and regular appointment schedules are not followed diligently.
• Prior to fitting orthodontic appliances, we provide patients with instructions on how to maintain their appliances, necessary dietary and lifestyle adjustments, the expected treatment progression, and follow-up appointments. Patients are also advised on what to do if an appliance is damaged, lost, or requires adjustment which is expected to be followed. 
• Although we set out a schedule for orthodontic treatment completion at the start, the treatment period may sometimes be extended if the desired results have not yet been achieved.
• Some patients may require additional treatment, including extractions or restorative procedures, to support orthodontic outcomes.
• Orthodontic treatment outcomes require long-term retention and ongoing maintenance. Depending on the case, patients may be fitted with lingual retainer wires or removable retainers to be worn at the night time, or both. Failure to comply may result in relapse of the treatment outcomes.
• Longevity and stability of results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.

Eligibility Criteria

• Patients aged 18 years and under are not suitable for this treatment.
• Veneers are generally considered for concerns such as discoloration that cannot be treated by teeth whitening alone, uneven shape, wear, minor gaps, or chipped enamel. However, in some cases, dental veneers alone may not be enough to achieve the desired results.  
• Suitability depends on the condition of the teeth, gums, bite alignment, and enamel structure.
• Patients with heavy grinding or clenching habits may not be ideal candidates without additional protective measures such as splints.
• Both porcelain and composite veneer options may be discussed depending on aesthetic goals, patient’s budget and clinical requirements.
• Additional eligibility criteria and treatment risks may apply depending on the individual case. A consultation with a suitably registered dental practitioner is required to assess your condition, treatment options and associated risks.

What to Expect After Treatment

• Some patients notice temporary teeth sensitivity immediately after the treatment or prepping. These changes are generally temporary in nature but if it persists, we advise our patients to book a review appointment immediately.
• The teeth may initially feel slightly different in shape or thickness while adjusting to the restorations.
• Mild tenderness around the gumline may occur for a short period following placement, which is generally temporary in nature.
• Follow-up appointments may be required to review comfort, bite balance, or aesthetics.

Risks and Maintenance Considerations

Veneers are susceptible to damage caused from adverse force such as trauma, nail biting, teeth grinding or clenching, chewing on hard objects. It is important to follow the advice provided to ensure longevity of the veneers.

While porcelain veneers are stain resistant, composite materials may gradually discolour or lose surface smoothness over time, requiring frequent replacement.

Composite veneers can easily discolour from the oral hygiene factors, smoking, consumption of food and beverage that are prone to staining.

Untreated decay and gum disease may result in discolouration of veneers or change in position due to the gum recession. It is important to maintain regular hygiene appointments to maintain both oral health and dental veneers.

Longevity Expectations

Veneers are considered a long-term cosmetic restoration rather than a lifetime solution. Depending on your lifestyle, habits and health, the replacement frequency may vary. Typically, with good care, composite veneers last for 4-8 years while porcelain can last up to 10-15 years.

Eligibility Criteria

• Teeth whitening may be appropriate for patients wanting to achieve whiter shade of teeth. However, in some cases such as internal tooth staining, discolouration caused by medications or health conditions or other underlying conditions, teeth whitening may not be able to achieve desired results.
• In such cases, alternative treatment may be recommended.
• A dental assessment is recommended prior to whitening to evaluate oral health and identify causes of discolouration.
• Teeth whitening treatment is designed to whiten just the natural teeth. Existing restorations such as crowns, veneers, fillings, or bridges will not change the colour.
• Results cannot be guaranteed as each patient reacts differently to the whitening treatment.
• It is essential that there is no gum disease or infection, or a willingness to undergo treatment to resolve this prior to all teeth whitening treatment.
• Additional eligibility criteria and treatment risks may apply depending on the individual case. A consultation with a suitably registered dental practitioner is required to assess your condition, treatment options and associated risks.

What to Expect After Treatment

• Teeth may feel temporarily more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. This effect generally lasts for only a few days, however if it persists, patients are encouraged to contact us immediately for further assessment.
• Mild irritation to the gums or soft tissues may occasionally occur.
• In-chair whitening generally produces instant brighter shade as compared to the take-home whitening kit treatment that is generally mild. 

Risks and Ongoing Care

• Whitening outcomes vary between individuals and are influenced by enamel structure and the type of staining present.
• Some teeth may whiten unevenly or respond less effectively than expected
• Lifestyle habits such as smoking or frequent consumption of coffee, tea, or wine can contribute to future staining or reduce the longevity of the results.
• Whitening results naturally fade over time and maintenance is required. The results achieved are not permanent in nature.

Longevity Expectations

• The duration of whitening results differs from person to person.
• Ongoing maintenance and good oral hygiene may help prolong the appearance of brighter teeth
• Repeat treatment may be recommended in the future depending on lifestyle and staining recurrence.

Eligibility Criteria

• Composite bonding may be suitable for improving minor cosmetic concerns such as chips, worn edges, small gaps, or uneven tooth shape.
• Treatment planning depends on tooth structure, bite position, and oral habits.
• Patients with heavy bite pressure or untreated grinding habits may either require alternative treatment approaches or the treatment plan may include management of such concerns to avoid damaging the bonded area.
• Additional eligibility criteria and treatment risks may apply depending on the individual case. A consultation with a suitably registered dental practitioner is required to assess your condition, treatment options and associated risks.

What to Expect Immediately After the Treatment

• Temporary change in speech or bite is not unnatural as patients are slowly adjusting to the new change in bite and structure of teeth. However, these changes are expected to be temporary in nature.
• Patients may feel sensitivity around the treated area during the first initial days, which generally resides after healing. If any irritation or sensitivity persists, we recommend booking an appointment to assess further.  

Risks and Maintenance Considerations

• Composite resin may wear, stain, chip, or fracture over time
• Repair or retreatment is required periodically to maintain appearance and function
• Hard foods, nail biting or grinding habits may increase the risk of damage
• Good oral hygiene and routine dental care are important for maintenance
• Composite bonding is susceptible to staining. It is advisable to avoid or limit food, beverage and habits that may stain the bonding such as smoking, tea, coffee, wine, turmeric infused food or beverage, etc.

Longevity Expectations

• The lifespan of composite bonding varies depending on oral habits, maintenance, and bite forces. With proper care, they generally last for 4-8 years.
• Future touch-ups or replacement may be necessary as materials naturally age, wear and stain.

Eligibility Criteria

• Crowns are generally an option for damaged, weakened, heavily treated teeth or for cosmetic reasons.
• Suitability depends on the amount of remaining tooth structure and surrounding gum health.
• Different crown materials may be recommended depending on function, appearance, and tooth location.
• Additional eligibility criteria and treatment risks may apply depending on the individual case. A consultation with a suitably registered dental practitioner is required to assess your condition, treatment options and associated risks.

What to Expect Immediately After the Treatment

• Some temporary sensitivity or discomfort may occur after tooth preparation, which is generally temporary in nature.
• Patients may require a short adjustment period to adapt to the new dental crown.
• Temporary crowns may be used as a protection before the final crown is fitted.

Risks and Maintenance Considerations

• Crowned teeth may still be affected by decay or gum disease if oral hygiene is not maintained.
• Crowns can loosen, chip, fracture or wear with time and function.
• Heavy grinding or clenching may place additional stress on the restoration causing it to crack, fracture or dislodge.

Longevity Expectations

• Dental crowns are designed to restore function and protection over the long term but it is not a permanent solution. Generally, with good oral health and care, dental crowns can last anywhere between 10-15 years.
• Longevity varies depending on maintenance, oral habits, and overall oral health.

Eligibility Criteria

• Bridges may be used to replace one or more missing teeth where adjacent teeth or implants can provide support
• Healthy supporting adjacent teeth and gums are important for long-term function.
• Additional eligibility criteria and treatment risks may apply depending on the individual case. A consultation with a suitably registered dental practitioner is required to assess your condition, treatment options and associated risks.

What to Expect After Treatment Begins

• Dental bridges require trimming of the adjacent teeth next to the missing area to create space for the supporting crowns and ensure a proper fit for the bridge. This is an irreversible procedure.
• Supporting teeth may feel temporarily sensitive after preparation, which is generally temporary in nature.
• Dental bridges do not replace the natural stimulation provided by a tooth root or an implant. Naturally,bone the missing tooth area may slowly shrink over time, which can affect the surrounding teeth and jaw shape. 
• Cleaning instructions will be provided and should be carefully followed to help prevent food and plaque from becoming trapped around the prosthesis.

Risks and Maintenance Considerations

• A thorough oral hygiene at home and regular check-up and clean appointments are essential to ensure food and debris are not trapped around the bridge area. Failure to do so may affect the gums and supporting teeth underneath the bridge.
• Bridges may loosen, wear, fracture or require future replacement. Typically, they last for 5-15 years with good care.
• Changes in surrounding teeth or gum tissue can affect the fit over time
• Changes in surrounding teeth or gum tissue can affect the fit over time

Longevity Expectations

• Tooth repositioning can revert to normal once treatment ends and therefore regular use of retainers is required.
• Long-term stability varies between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.

Eligibility Criteria

• Patients aged 18 years and under are not suitable for this treatment.
• Dental implants may be considered for the replacement of missing teeth or teeth that cannot be predictably restored.
• Desirable bone density, gum health and health factors that will not affect healing outcomes are essential to be eligible for dental implants treatment.
• Individuals with certain health conditions or those who are heavy smokers or use tobacco may not be suitable candidates for dental implants. However, suitability varies on a case-by-case basis and a thorough consultation with dental practitioner is necessary for individual assessment.
• Additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus augmentation may sometimes be recommended to improve implant support
• Immediate implant placement may only be appropriate in selected clinical circumstances
• Dental implants can be a complex procedure. A thorough assessment and imaging with a registered and experienced professional is important to understand individual suitability and risks.
• Additional eligibility criteria and treatment risks may apply depending on the individual case. A consultation with a suitably registered dental practitioner is required to assess your condition, treatment options and associated risks.

What to Expect After Treatment Begins

• Swelling, bruising, tenderness or minor bleeding can occur following implant surgery, which is normal. General medications may be prescribed to manage the pain.
• Implant integration with the surrounding bone, known as osseointegration, typically takes approximately 3 months. However, healing times may vary between patients.
• Temporary dietary modifications are recommended during healing.
• Temporary restorations may sometimes be used while healing takes place.
• Patients should seek review if symptoms appear unusual or do not improve as expected.

Risks and Maintenance Considerations

• As with any surgical procedure, risks may include infection, delayed healing, implant failure or complications involving nearby anatomical structures.
• While our dentists are experienced and use quality materials, dental implants may fail due to a number of factors, including poor oral hygiene, smoking, certain health conditions, infection, failure of the implant to integrate with the bone, or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, additional treatment or surgery may be required to remove the implant and consider alternative treatment options.
• Bone grafting and sinus procedures can involve additional healing periods and variable healing responses.
• Smoking, uncontrolled health conditions, poor oral hygiene, or grinding habits can increase complication risks.
• Ongoing professional maintenance is important to monitor gum health, oral hygiene and implant stability.

Longevity Expectations

• Dental implants are intended as a long-term replacement option, however outcomes vary between individuals.
• While the dental implant that is fused to the jawbone is designed to be a permanent fitting, the top crown or tooth part require replacement. With good care, these crowns usually last for 10-15 years.