Understanding your treatment

What are the risks of the treatment I'm considering?

Every dental procedure carries risk. This page sets those risks out plainly, by treatment, so that consent is genuinely informed rather than a signature on a form.

Smile Solutions' stated position: fully informed consent is not a formality but an essential part of ethical, patient-centred dentistry.

Four things apply to everything below:

• All dental procedures carry risks.
• Alternative treatment options may be available.
• A second opinion from a suitably qualified health practitioner is recommended before proceeding.
• Ask questions and seek clarification about any proposed treatment.

Choosing to undergo treatment is an important decision and should be made in consultation with a registered dental practitioner, who will explain the specific risks, benefits and suitability for your circumstances.

We are at Level 1, 220 Collins Street, Manchester Unity Building, Melbourne CBD. To book: call 13 13 96.

Teeth whitening — in-chair and take-home

Both whitening options are safe and effective when overseen by a dental professional. The considerations:

Sensitivity. Tooth and gum sensitivity is common during or after whitening and may range from mild to more noticeable discomfort. It usually settles within a few days; if it persists, additional care or adjustments to your plan may be recommended.

Results vary. Outcomes depend on tooth colour, enamel thickness and lifestyle habits such as coffee, tea and smoking. Not all types of discolouration respond equally well — in some cases alternative cosmetic options are more suitable.

For best results, have a professional dental clean approximately two weeks before whitening.

Aftercare matters to maintaining results and minimising sensitivity — avoiding certain foods and drinks, using sensitive toothpaste, and occasional touch-up treatments.

Whitening may not be suitable for everyone. Your dentist assesses your individual circumstances first.

What the law actually controls

Concentration, and it is the reason a supermarket kit and an in-chair treatment are not the same product.

The Australian Dental Association's policy statement on teeth whitening records that the Poisons Standard treats hydrogen peroxide 3–6% and carbamide peroxide 9–18% as Schedule 5 substances requiring "Caution", meaning products up to those strengths may be sold direct to consumers if labelled with the stipulated safety warnings. Schedule 10 is reserved for substances "of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of their sale, supply and use other than in specified exempt circumstances", and it captures whitening products containing more than 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide, which "may only be sold, supplied and used by registered dental practitioners" as part of dental practice. Those provisions are formalised in every state and territory's poisons legislation.

The same statement records that peroxide-containing bleaching products are safe and effective when used by or under the supervision of a dentist and according to the professional directions for use, and that the most common side effects are transient tooth sensitivity and soft tissue irritation during or immediately following treatment — the sourced version of the sensitivity point above.

Composite bonding

The process. Tooth-coloured resin is applied directly to the tooth surface, sculpted and polished. Usually completed in a single visit; multiple teeth or complex cases may need additional appointments. Bonding does not require significant removal of tooth structure, making it less invasive than veneers or crowns.

Longevity and risks. Composite resin is durable but not as strong as porcelain. It can chip, wear or stain over time — particularly with grinding, nail-biting or smoking.

Colour matching is done carefully, but exact results may vary, and future changes in your natural teeth may alter how the bonded area looks. Bonding materials may need replacing or refreshing every few years.

What the published data shows. The closest published evidence is a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of resin composite laminate veneers in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, which included 7 studies from 827 screened. Pooling the randomised controlled trials gave an overall survival rate of 88% (95% CI 81% to 94%), with mean follow-up ranging from 24 to 97 months. The complications most often reported were surface roughness, colour mismatch and marginal discolouration, which the authors describe as mostly clinically acceptable with or without reintervention. One caveat: laminate veneers are not identical to every composite bonding case.

Sensitivity. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity, usually settling quickly.

Oral health. Proper hygiene and regular care are essential to minimise decay around the bonded area and gum irritation.

Limitations. Bonding is not suitable for every case. Where there are large fractures, severe wear or major misalignment, crowns, veneers or orthodontics may be more appropriate.

All-on-4 dental implants

All-on-4 replaces a full arch, typically supported by 4–6 implants. Cases are planned using advanced 3D technology, but as with any surgical procedure there are real considerations.

Before treatment. Lifestyle changes such as ceasing smoking may be required. Long-term adjustments to diet or habits may also be recommended.

Recovery. Most patients experience swelling, discomfort or bruising in the first few days, with improvement typically after day four. Healing is usually complete within two weeks, though this varies.

Surgical and post-surgical risks

Upper jaw. Implants are placed close to the sinuses, carrying risks including sinus involvement or reduced implant stability.

Lower jaw. Implants sit near nerves supplying the lip, chin and tongue. Rarely this may cause altered sensation — usually temporary, but occasionally prolonged.

Stability. Implant stability varies. In some cases a temporary removable denture may be needed during healing instead of a fixed bridge.

Failure. Uncommon but possible if an implant does not integrate with the bone. Failed implants need to be removed and, if appropriate, replaced.

Recovery and aftercare

• Mild to moderate pain, swelling and bruising are expected, usually managed with prescribed medication
• Bleeding for up to 48 hours post-surgery is not uncommon
• Most patients resume light activities within 24–48 hours; avoid strenuous activity and sport for up to 10 days
• Smoking significantly increases the risk of complications and treatment failure
• A soft food diet is recommended during initial recovery
• Follow-up visits every 4–6 months are essential for long-term success

Additional procedures. Some cases need bone grafting or sinus lifts for implant stability. These carry their own risks, which your practitioner will discuss.

Invisalign and orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment is a long-term commitment, and retainers are required afterwards to maintain tooth position. Treatment length depends on case complexity and compliance with aligner wear.

Always follow the directions for use.

Gum disease and tooth decay

All patients must first have a full dental and periodontal assessment, and any necessary dental work completed, before orthodontic treatment begins.

Responsibility for maintaining healthy teeth and gums remains with the patient throughout treatment. If general dental health is not maintained, orthodontic treatment may be halted until oral health improves.

To prevent gum disease, decay and decalcification:

• a thorough home oral hygiene regime
• a professional dental clean every four months
• general check-ups every six months during treatment
• a diet low in sugar

Tooth root shortening (resorption)

Resorption may occur during treatment and is unpredictable. Most cases have no long-term effect, but in a minority the long-term prognosis of the teeth may be affected. Patients who have previously had orthodontic treatment are at greater risk during re-treatment.

Tooth vitality

Orthodontic movement can further insult the nerve in teeth previously exposed to trauma or deep fillings, potentially leading to loss of vitality and discolouration. Affected teeth may need root canal therapy and aesthetic treatment.

Relapse and growth changes

Teeth continue to move with age, even in people who have never had orthodontic treatment. Retainers prevent this.

If you do not wear retainers as instructed, you can expect your teeth to move. This ongoing movement is outside the practice's responsibility and may require re-treatment at additional cost.

Jaw growth

Atypical growth in direction or extent may change the course or length of treatment, and further growth after treatment may alter the final result. This cannot always be predicted, and re-treatment or surgery may be recommended.

Wisdom teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth remaining after orthodontic treatment may affect the stability of the result. Discuss this with your orthodontist; you may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. If you decline assessment and recommended treatment, your newly aligned teeth may move.

Bone and gum loss

Periodontal health should be assessed before treatment begins — this is the patient's responsibility. Periodontal disease can progress further without excellent hygiene and close care from a dentist or periodontist.

TMJ symptoms

Patients may develop jaw pain or dysfunction during treatment. This is difficult to predict and may have occurred regardless — any relationship between orthodontic treatment and temporomandibular dysfunction is tenuous. Tell your orthodontist if jaw pain develops; the treatment plan may need changing.

Ankylosis. Teeth fused to bone cannot be moved, requiring an alternative approach.

Therapeutic extractions. Biological response varies. In some cases extraction may be required partway through treatment. If extraction was not in the original plan, your orthodontist will discuss the change with you.

Treatment time varies with the response of teeth and jaws, and with compliance.

Other considerations

• Inconsistent wear, missed appointments, or pre-existing dental factors can extend treatment or affect results
• Complex cases may need attachments, elastics, minor tooth recontouring or other devices
• Existing dental conditions, medical issues or medications may influence progress
• Temporary changes in bite, speech, salivation, or minor irritation to gums, cheeks or lips are common and usually short-lived
• Oral surgery may be recommended for crowding or severe jaw discrepancies
• Previously traumatised or heavily restored teeth may respond differently

Porcelain veneers

Custom handcrafted veneers are a thin sheet of porcelain used to alter the colour and shape of a tooth. Always follow the directions for use.

• Most treatments are completed over 2–6 visits, depending on complexity
• Patients can usually continue normal daily activities throughout
• In some cases short rest or recovery time is required
• Healing and settling generally occur within two weeks
• Maintenance is essential to the long-term success of the restoration

What you are agreeing to

A veneer is irreversible. Healthdirect puts it in one sentence: "Your dental professional fixes veneers to the surface of your teeth. You can't take veneers off." It also draws the boundary of what they do — veneers "help to improve the appearance of your teeth", "they're not used to repair damage", and they "don't straighten your teeth or fix your bite" — and records that they "may not be suitable if you grind or clench your teeth or if you have gum disease". If either applies to you, raise it before any tooth is prepared. See TMD & Teeth Grinding and Bleeding Gums.

How much tooth structure is removed

A gravimetric study in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (Edelhoff and Sorensen, 2002) prepared typodont teeth to a range of designs and weighed what was removed. Veneer and resin-bonded preparations were the least invasive, removing approximately 3% to 30% of the coronal tooth structure by weight, against approximately 63% to 72% for all-ceramic and metal-ceramic crown preparations. It was laboratory work on artificial teeth rather than a clinical study, which is a real limitation — but it is the measurement most later reviews rely on for the crowns-versus-veneers comparison.

Why how much enamel remains matters

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry compared ceramic veneers by the surface they were bonded to. Enamel-bonded veneers: survival 99% (range 98% to 100%). Minimal dentin exposure: 95% (range 91% to 100%). Severe dentin exposure: 91% (range 84% to 98%), with the success rate — meaning no clinical intervention required — falling to 74% (range 64% to 85%). Veneers with only minimal dentin exposure were significantly less likely to need intervention than those with severe exposure (risk difference −0.16, 95% CI −0.31 to −0.01). So the question worth asking is not only how many veneers, but how much of your own enamel will still be underneath them.

Longevity is genuinely contested

No dental authority publishes a veneer lifespan in years, and the published survival figures disagree with each other. A systematic review in the European Journal of Dentistry (2021) covering 30 studies, 2,473 patients and 11,465 porcelain laminate veneers reported survival ranging from 80.1% to 100% in studies following up for under 5 years, 47% to 100% at 5 to 7 years, and 53% to 94.4% at 10 to 12 years, and concluded that a conclusive estimate of longevity beyond 20 years is lacking.

The one Australian series within it — a prospective cohort of 499 veneers in 155 patients, placed by a single prosthodontist in private practice between 1990 and 2010 — reported 98% at 5 years, 96% at 10 years, and 91% at both 15 and 20 years. Two conditions belong with those numbers: patients with extensive tooth-structure loss through parafunction were excluded, and only teeth with at least 80% enamel remaining were veneered. The same authors' earlier series of 304 veneers reported 73% at 15 to 16 years. Treat any single "veneers last X years" figure with suspicion.

The Australian Dental Association's consumer guidance adds the other half: "Having a crown, bridge or veneer does not mean no treatment will ever be needed again for the tooth or teeth. These teeth can still be damaged by tooth decay. Sometimes crowns, bridges and veneers can chip, fracture or no longer match the colour of your teeth and need to be replaced."

Common questions

What does informed consent require?

You need understandable information about the proposed treatment, material risks, expected benefits, alternatives, doing nothing, costs and who will provide care, with time to ask questions and decide voluntarily. A signed form does not replace that discussion.

How do I know which risks matter in my case?

Ask the clinician to connect general risks to your examination, medical history, tooth structure, gum and bone support, bite and habits. The answer should distinguish common temporary effects from uncommon but serious complications.

Must alternatives include doing nothing?

Yes. Doing nothing or monitoring can carry risks, but it is still part of the comparison. You should understand the likely consequence and timing of each option before choosing irreversible treatment.

How should longevity claims be interpreted?

Population survival figures describe groups, materials and follow-up periods; they do not promise how long your treatment will last. Ask what failure means, what maintenance is assumed and what repair or replacement would involve.

Why does remaining tooth structure matter?

Restorations rely on the quality and amount of tooth available for bonding and support. Removing more structure can reduce future options. Ask exactly what will be removed and whether a more conservative design is possible.

What costs should be included?

Consider diagnostics, preliminary care, treatment, anaesthesia, laboratory work, reviews, maintenance and eventual repair or replacement. Request item numbers and exclusions in writing, then confirm rebates directly with your fund.

Can I change my mind?

You can decline or pause elective treatment before it is performed. Once an irreversible step has occurred, the original state may not be recoverable. Ask which appointment contains the irreversible decision point.

When is a second opinion sensible?

A second opinion is reasonable for irreversible, extensive, high-risk or expensive treatment, uncertain prognosis, removal of teeth or a major difference between proposed plans. Request copies of your records so the opinion is informed.

Related reading

• Orthodontic treatment: general dentist versus specialist orthodontist
• How to protect your aligners and your smile
• Recovering from wisdom teeth surgery
• Braces and specialist orthodontists
• Second opinions and corrective dentistry
• Contact the practice

Practical details

This information is general in nature and intended for people over 18. It does not replace advice from your treating practitioner, who will discuss the risks, benefits and alternatives relevant to you.

Smile Solutions trades under ABN 28 193 514 103.