Treatment Considerations

Traditional implants typically replace one or a few teeth, with each implant placed where a tooth is missing. All-on implants replace a full set of upper or lower teeth using 4–6 implants that support a full arch of teeth.

At Dental Boutique™, dentists experienced in surgical procedures take meticulous care in planning each case, using 3D technology to help guide the treatment approach and minimise potential risks. However, some inherent risks remain with any surgical procedure that you should be aware of.

Before your surgical procedure, you may need to adjust or stop certain daily habits, such as smoking. In some cases, these changes need to be made well in advance to ensure your dental condition is stable before the procedure. To help preserve your treatment outcomes, long-term changes to your diet and habits may also be recommended. The specifics will vary between individuals, and your dentist will discuss what applies to your situation.

Important Information
In conjunction with your implant or All-on treatment, additional procedures such as adding bone (bone graft) or creating more space in the upper jaw (sinus lift) so the implant can be placed securely may be recommended. These treatments carry their own individual risks. For more information about the sinus lift or bone grafting procedure, refer to dedicated section below on this page.

Any dental procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. There may be alternative treatment options available. We encourage our patients to ask the dentist questions and seek clarification on the procedure they are undertaking.
Generally, treatment is completed over 3 to 6 visits, depending on the complexity of your case. You may need to adjust your normal daily activities for the first few days. Depending on your treatment and how your body responds, you might also need to take some additional time off to rest and recover.
Healing and recovery times vary between individuals due to biological factors unique to you. Typically, full recovery and settling occur within two weeks after the procedure.
Ongoing maintenance and care of your implants and prosthesis is crucial. Your practitioner will provide a personalised maintenance schedule, which may involve additional costs beyond your initial treatment plan.

Surgical Risks

• The surgical procedure itself carries surgical risks, especially when operating in proximity to vital structures.

Upper Jaw:

• In the upper jaw, implants are often placed in poorer-quality bone and in close proximity to the sinuses.
• Possible complications include bone fracture, insufficient implant stability, or accidental entry or puncture of the sinus.
• These may require additional immediate or future procedures at additional costs.

Lower Jaw:

• In the lower jaw, implants are often placed in proximity to nerves that give sensation to the lip, chin, and tongue.
• Surgical intrusion or post-operative swelling may impinge upon nerves and result in altered or lost sensation to the lip, chin, and/or part of the tongue
• Such complications are rare and, should they occur, are most likely to be temporary, but there is a slight chance of prolonged or permanent complications.

Post-Surgical Risks

• Sometimes, the stability of the planned implants in the remaining jawbone is unpredictable.
• If the implants do not possess sufficient stability, we may not be able to immediately load your implants with the prosthesis (bridge/crown).
• In this scenario, we may have to revert to using a temporary removable appliance for healing period instead of having a fixed temporary prosthesis.
• The implants themselves are regarded as being fixed once successfully integrated into the bone and in favourable conditions
• Occasionally implants fail.
• An implant is considered to have failed when it does not solidly bond (or integrate) with the bone or becomes detached from the bone this can happen due tobiological failure that cannot be predicted.
• Patients may not be aware of a failed implant and it is therefore crucial to have your implants monitored by your dentist with regular 4–6 monthly checkups.
• A failed implant needs to be removed and replaced.
• In cases where there is an inadequate volume of bone to replace the implant, additional procedures may be necessary.

Recovery and what to expect post-surgery

• Swelling can be normal after your surgery and can be associated with discomfort or pain that can usually be managed pain medication and are usually transient. Swelling typically does not reach its peak until day 4. The swelling and bruising should start decreasing after day 4 but please note each individual’s recovery period is different
• Bleeding will occur following surgery and it is NOT uncommon to bleed for 24 to 48 hours following surgery.
• Pain and discomfort are expected following surgery and may be experienced for a couple of weeks. It is important you are taking your prescribed medication as per the recommendation, to help ease your pain and discomfort. Every patient has a different level of pain threshold and will need to be managed accordingly.
• In most cases you may perform your regular daily activities avoiding strenuous activity of any type for 24-48 hours as this may cause the wound to bleed and increase swelling. Sporting activities or going to the gym are best avoided for up to 10 days.
• You may possibly feel tired and weak during the first 12 – 24 hours, this is not uncommon and rest is often the best cure.
• Smoking is absolutely detrimental to the healing process and may cause the entire treatment to fail or you may develop an infection or other complications.
• You may eat and drink following the procedure. We recommend eating cold and soft foods
• You may need to take time off work or other regular activities to allow for recovery. It is advisable to have someone available to assist you during this period, particularly if your procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The specific risks related to anaesthesia will be discussed with you by your dentist and the anaesthetist.

Important Information
Any dental procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Not all patients are suitable candidates for gum recontouring and full assessment by a qualified dentist is necessary before any treatment can commence. There may be alternative treatment options available. We encourage our patients to ask the dentist questions and seek clarification on the procedure they are undertaking.

The following provides general information about the risks and considerations associated with this procedure. Each patient is different, and your dentist will discuss your specific circumstances during your consultation.

What may I experience after gum lift treatment?
You may experience some discomfort to your gums if you are having gum lift treatment and as a result your gums could appear more red than usual, which is typically temporary in nature and may last between 1 – 5 days depending on how much work has been done. Your dentist may recommend some pain management option as well as after care protocol to follow at home. Dentist typically observe the soft tissue completely healed within 4-6 weeks with proper care.

Bleeding and gum swelling as the gums is still healing may occur. Some people experience more bleeding/swelling than others. If you experience this, please give your Patient Consultant a call and continue to clean the area well so we can keep an eye on it for you and help to reduce the chance of swelling/bleeding.

Healing:Gum tissue may not heal evenly, and further adjustments could be required.
Relapse: In some cases, the gums can regrow or change shape over time.

In the event of gum shrinkage or overgrowth following your procedure, further treatment may be required. Additional fees will apply.

Ongoing maintenance and care of your oral health including the gums is essential. Your practitioner will provide a personalised maintenance schedule, which may involve additional costs beyond your initial treatment plan.<

Important Information
Any dental procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Not all patients are suitable candidates for these procedures and full assessment by a qualified dentist is necessary before any treatment can commence. There may be alternative treatment options available. We encourage our patients to ask the dentist questions and seek clarification on the procedure they are undertaking.

The following provides general information about the risks and considerations associated with this procedure. Each patient is different, and your dentist will discuss your specific circumstances during your consultation.

About the procedures
If you do not have enough bone to support an implant, your dentist may recommend a bone grafting procedure by adding a granule-like material to increase the amount of viable bone available. If the implant is to be placed in the upper jaw you may also require sinus augmentation (also called a sinus lift).

For the placement of dental implants, sufficient bone is required. Inadequate cases may require preoperative bone graft surgery and/or simultaneous bone grafting during implant placement. This involves the placement of artificial bovine bone minerals or bone from a patient’s donor site where required to improve the bone architecture.

A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, is a procedure that creates space in the upper jaw beneath the sinus by gently lifting the sinus membrane. Bone graft material (small granules) is then placed into this space, and over time your body grows new bone around it. This process helps to provide a strong foundation for dental implants in areas where there is insufficient natural bone.

These are some of the reasons you may have experienced bone loss:

• Periodontal disease (gum disease)
• Enlarged sinus cavity
• Tooth loss, causing loss of bone
• Natural aging process

Surgical Risks
The surgical procedure itself carries inherent surgical risks, especially when operating in proximity to vital structures such as the sinuses and nerves.

Sinus Lift (Sinus Augmentation) Risks

• Sinus membrane perforation: A small tear in the sinus lining may occur during surgery. Most tears can be repaired, but a larger tear may require additional treatment.
• Infection or inflammation: Any surgical procedure carries a risk of infection. Following post-operative instructions carefully aims to reduce this risk.
• Swelling, bruising, or tenderness: Some swelling, bruising, or mild discomfort is expected with most patients reporting improvement within a week.
• Delayed healing: The grafted area may take several months to fully integrate with existing bone before an implant can be placed.
• Sinus issues: In rare circumstances, sinus infections or ongoing sinus discomfort can develop after surgery.
• Discomfort or pain: Mild pain at the surgical site is considered common and usually controlled with medication.

Bone Graft Risks
Graft failure or poor integration: The grafted bone may not fully fuse with the existing bone, which could delay or prevent implant placement.
Swelling, bruising, or tenderness: These are common after graft surgery and typically subside within a few days.
Discomfort or pain at donor site: If bone is taken from another part of the patient’s body (autograft), that area may also feel sore.
Delayed healing: Healing times vary; implants may need to be delayed until the graft is fully integrated.
Need for additional procedures: In some cases, if the graft does not integrate well, further treatment may be required to achieve adequate bone volume.