Dental Treatment Risks
Our Treatments and Associated Risks
At Aesthetic Laser Dentistry, we provide a wide range of dental treatments to help you achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile. While these procedures are safe when carried out by our professional team, all treatments carry some degree of risk. The information below outlines the most common procedures we perform and their potential risks. This is general information only — your dentist will explain the specific risks relevant to your treatment during your consultation.
General & Preventive Dentistry
Check-ups and Cleans
- Temporary tooth sensitivity
- Mild gum irritation or bleeding
- Rare allergic reaction to polishing or fluoride agents
Dental Fillings (Composite/White Fillings)
- Short-term sensitivity to temperature or biting pressure
- Post-operative discomfort
- In rare cases, nerve irritation requiring further treatment such as root canal therapy
Root Canal Therapy
- Post-treatment pain or tenderness
- Reinfection of the treated tooth
- Fracture of the tooth (as root-treated teeth are more brittle)
- Breakage of instruments inside the root canal (rare)
- Altered sensation if nerves nearby are affected
Extractions (Tooth Removal)
- Pain, swelling, and bruising afterwards
- Prolonged bleeding or delayed healing
- Dry socket (a painful complication if the clot is lost too early)
- Infection of the extraction site
- Damage to adjacent teeth or fillings
- Nerve injury causing altered feeling or numbness in the lip, chin, or tongue (temporary or permanent)
- Sinus complications in upper molar extractions
- Rare jaw fracture in complex cases
Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth Whitening (In-Chair and Take-Home)
- Temporary tooth sensitivity
- Gum or soft tissue irritation if whitening gel touches gums
- Uneven or less predictable results if there are pre-existing restorations or intrinsic discolourations
Composite Bonding
- Wear, chipping, or staining of the bonding material over time
- Possible need for repair or replacement in future years
Porcelain Veneers and Crowns
- Tooth sensitivity, sometimes lasting long-term
- Irreversible removal of tooth structure (teeth will always need coverage once prepared)
- Veneer or crown fracture, loosening, or debonding
- Gum irritation or gum recession exposing the edges of the restoration
- Rare damage to the tooth nerve, occasionally requiring root canal therapy
- May need replacement after 10–20 years due to wear, damage, or decay around edges
Orthodontics
Clear Aligners (Linea, Angel, Invisalign, etc.)
- Discomfort or soreness as teeth shift
- Temporary changes in speech
- Gum irritation or mouth ulcers from aligner edges
- Root shortening (resorption), which is rare but possible
- Teeth may relapse if retainers are not worn as instructed after treatment
Dental Implants & Full-Arch Rehabilitation
Dental Implants (Single, Multiple, All-on-X)
- Pain, swelling, and bruising following surgery
- Infection of the implant site
- Early implant failure (implant not bonding with the bone)
- Late implant failure due to gum disease, bone loss, or excessive bite forces
- Nerve injury resulting in numbness, tingling, or altered sensation of lip, chin, or tongue — temporary or permanent
- Sinus complications in the upper jaw, particularly with sinus lift procedures
- Risks related to bone grafting (graft failure, infection, loss of graft material)
- Gum recession, which can affect aesthetics
- Bite adjustment needs or occlusal changes after healing
- Long-term maintenance requirements (screw loosening, prosthetic fracture, need for eventual replacement of prosthetic teeth)
Full Mouth Rehabilitation / All-on-X
- All risks associated with individual implants
- Higher surgical complexity and increased risk of swelling, bruising, and prolonged healing
- Greater chance of sinus involvement in the upper jaw
- Nerve injury risk in the lower jaw due to multiple implant placements
- Failure of one implant may compromise the stability of the entire bridge
- Temporary challenges with speech and chewing while adapting
- Long-term prosthetic risks including fracture, screw loosening, and need for replacement after years of use
Periodontal & Laser Dentistry
Gum Disease Treatments (Scaling, Root Planing, Laser Therapy)
- Gum tenderness and bleeding
- Increased tooth sensitivity after deep cleaning
- Gum recession exposing root surfaces
- Rare post-treatment infection
- Slower healing in smokers or people with diabetes
Laser Gum Surgery (Gingivectomy, Crown Lengthening, Periodontal Surgery)
- Pain, swelling, and gum soreness following treatment
- Gum recession exposing roots
- Uneven or excessive gum regrowth
- Delayed healing in patients with systemic conditions or poor oral hygiene
- Infection or prolonged bleeding (particularly if on blood thinners)
Oral Surgery
Wisdom Tooth Removal
- Pain, swelling, bruising, and jaw stiffness
- Infection or abscess formation
- Dry socket (especially with lower wisdom teeth)
- Damage to nearby teeth or restorations
- Sinus complications in the case of upper wisdom teeth
- Nerve injury affecting the inferior alveolar or lingual nerves — leading to altered feeling, numbness, or taste changes, which may be temporary or permanent
- Rare risk of jaw fracture in cases with difficult impactions or reduced bone strength
Important Note
Every dental procedure carries potential benefits and risks, and outcomes may differ between patients. Your individual risk profile depends on your medical history, lifestyle factors, and the condition of your teeth and gums. At Aesthetic Laser Dentistry, our team is committed to explaining these risks clearly and answering your questions before any treatment begins.
