Treatment Information & Considerations

Procedure & Sensitivity – The procedure is carried out with Local Anaesthetic to eliminate discomfort during treatment.

Recovery Timeline

Day 1:

• Possible soft tissue irritation (i.e., gums or lips)
• Sensitivity to cold stimulus from tooth preparation can occur

Week 1:

• Sensitivity to cold stimulus from tooth preparation can occur, however reducing

Month 1:

• Continued improvement in sensitivity

Common Complications

• Pulp devitalisation
• Sensitivity
• Breakage of temporary veneers
• Chronic gingival irritation
• A veneer cannot be repaired if it is damaged or if the gum shrinks away from the top
• Veneer preparation also involves the removal of some tooth structure during preparation

Aftercare Instructions

Temporary Veneers:

• Soft diet
• Avoid using teeth with temporary veneers for heavy functional use to minimise risk of breakages to temporary veneers
• Warm salt water rinses to assist with gingival irritation after preparation procedure

After Permanent Veneers:

• Warm salt water rinses to assist with gingival irritation after preparation procedure
• Optimal plaque control with tooth brushing and flossing/interdental brush use
• Use of occlusal splint nightly
• Maintain a regular 6 monthly check up and clean minimum

Typical Lifespan: 8-10 years

Depends on:

• Materials used, i.e., composite resin, ceramic or porcelain
• Optimal oral hygiene, diet and medical condition

Treatment Duration: 

Typical treatment duration ranges 12-24 months. If a case presents with greater complexity, the patient will be referred to an orthodontist (dental specialist) for specialised management.

Compliance Requirements: 

Clear aligner treatment depends greatly on consistent patient compliance. Inadequate wear can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment, leading to delays or the need to revise the treatment plan. This may require the production of additional aligner trays, which can incur extra unplanned costs.

Retention Requirements After Treatment

Lifelong retention is essential following orthodontic treatment to prevent unwanted tooth movement or relapse. Retention may be maintained through the use of a fixed lingual wire retainer or removable clear retainers.

Diagnostic Procedures & Treatment Planning

Implant treatment is often preceded by diagnostic procedures such as radiographs, photographs and digital modelling in order to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery refers to the insertion of Titanium implant fixtures into your jawbone.

When a tooth or several teeth need to be removed, it is sometimes advantageous to place implant/s immediately following the extraction/s, but in most cases the placement of the implant/s requires a separate visit. After implant integration with the bone, typically a second treatment stage is required 3-6 months later to restore the implants.

Dentist’s Discretion

Your treatment plan will remain fluid and the extent, progress or staging of your treatment will always depend on prevailing circumstances at surgery and the success of preceding stages. During surgery your surgeon will exercise discretion to ensure the most optimal outcome under any such circumstances. Where additional procedures are performed, additional fees will apply. In cases where the insertion of the prosthetic teeth at the same time as the surgical appointment is planned, this cannot be guaranteed as it depends on various factors including the quality of bone and stability of the implants.

Risks

Implantation procedures have risks. In the upper jaw there may be quality bone or close proximity of the sinuses or the orbit. Possible complications include bony fracture, inadequate implant stability, intrusion into the sinus or perforation of the sinus membrane, an open communication between the oral cavity and nose/sinuses, nerve damage with altered sensation or paralysis, infection and sinusitis, and may require additional immediate or future procedures at additional costs. 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/hematoma may impinge upon or damage these nerves and may cause altered or loss of 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 small chance they can be permanent.

Occasionally implants fail. An implant is considered to have failed when it does not integrate with the bone. Patients may not be aware of a failed implant and it is therefore crucial to have your implants monitored by your dentist with regular 3-6 monthly check ups. 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, such as bone grafting, may be required, as well as the modification or remaking of the prosthetic tooth/teeth to suit the new implant position. There is also a risk of overall failure. Revision surgery, where possible, will be subject to additional fees. Swelling and bruising is normal after your surgery and can be associated with discomfort or pain. These are often managed with anti-inflammatory and pain medication and are usually transient. In rare cases, pain or other symptoms may continue beyond the post-operative healing phase. This may be associated with complications of surgery, neuralgia, triggering of dormant pre-existing conditions, jaw joint dysfunction, grinding or clenching of the teeth, occlusal (bite) imbalance, compression or tension in the fit of the prosthesis, psychosomatic disturbances or other causes. Treatment for such complications varies from minor occlusal adjustments or splint therapy to the necessary referral to other specialists, treatment at a suitable pain management clinic or additional surgery.

Bone Grafting & Guided Bone Regeneration

Bone Grafting may be required to improve bone volume in conjunction with, or in preparation for dental implants. When it is done in preparation for future implants, the implantation procedure is typically delayed by 6-9 months, but in most cases, bone grafting may be done concurrently with implant placement. In some cases, a barrier membrane may also be used to protect the graft and guide the regeneration of bone. Materials used for the graft or membrane are from bovine, synthetic or other sources. Bone can also be obtained from parts of your own jaws. Bone grafting is associated with additional and compounding surgical risks to both the implant site as well as the site from where it was obtained (if relevant), and these include swelling, infection, discomfort, pain, implant failure, numbness, or other complications.

Implant-Supported Replacement Teeth (Prosthesis)

The restoration that attaches to the implant/s to replace lost or missing tooth or teeth:

Fixed (Non-Removable) Implant-Supported Replacement Teeth (Implant Crowns/Bridges, All-On-X)

The prosthesis is fixed to the implants and can only be removed by your dentist, except in implant-supported single crowns or bridged segments when the teeth are cemented and are not retrievable. Oral hygiene practices require more skill (dexterity) and diligence. The prosthesis may be acrylic or zirconia/porcelain. Porcelain teeth are standard in implant-supported single crowns or bridged segments whereas high impact acrylic is standard in full arch replacement. Future maintenance treatment may include repair, relining or re-fabrication and may attract additional costs.

Non-Immediate Teeth

In a 2-stage treatment where it is not planned or possible to fit Immediate Prosthesis after implantation a transitional appliance may be issued at an additional cost for the duration of the healing (approx. 3-6 months), or alternatively your existing denture may be adjusted to fit over the implants where possible. The wearing of a denture or transitional prosthesis during healing must be MINIMISED. You must avoid wearing it during sleep and if you have to wear it to eat the diet should be amended to softer non-challenging foods.

Maintenance

In all implant cases elevated oral hygiene is required and special care as directed by your dentist or hygienist. Regular check-ups and professional cleans every 3-6 months (as prescribed) are required to maintain implant and gum health, and to allow for any issues to be diagnosed early before becoming untreatable. Although successful and functional dental implants help preserve jaw and facial bones, gum recession and bone loss (atrophy) may still occur at a gradual and unpredictable rate and may lead to changes in the appearance of the treated teeth, gums, or face. Future treatments may require additional surgery, removal of one or more implants, placement of additional implants and/or re-making of the supported teeth/prostheses, all at an additional cost.

Smoking

Smoking may cause severe health issues including aggressive cancers of the mouth, throat and lungs, and death. It may also cause diseases of the gums surrounding the implants, impaired healing and/or a higher predisposition to failures. If you smoke, you will be required to refrain from smoking during the first 3 months of healing, and we strongly encourage you see your doctor and quit altogether to reduce your long-term risks. Continuing to smoke will affect the manufacturer’s warranty (if any) of the implant hardware components and remedial surgical work will bear additional fees and a risk of complications and failure again.

Life Expectancy

Please note that period noted as “life expectancy” throughout this form is an estimate assuming appropriate use, impeccable oral hygiene practices, regular 3-6 monthly dental visits (as directed), compliance with dental and medical advice, regular maintenance treatment as required, successful related previous or adjunctive treatments, non-smokers, the absence of psychological disturbances and the absence of abnormal oral function such as excessive grinding or clenching. The life expectancy may otherwise be substantially reduced, and it cannot be predicted prior to treatment.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE OPERATE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF ANATOMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, WHICH ARE DIFFERENT FROM PERSON TO PERSON, THUS REGARDLESS OF OUR BEST EFFORTS THE HEALING, IMMEDIACY, DURABILITY AND OVERALL SUCCESS OF YOUR TREATMENT ALL HAVE AN UNPREDICTABLE ELEMENT. RESULTS AND EXPERIENCES DO VARY FROM PATIENT TO PATIENT.

Procedure & Sensitivity

The procedure is carried out with Local Anaesthetic to eliminate discomfort during treatment.

Recovery Timeline

Day 1:

• Possible soft tissue irritation (i.e., gums or lips)
• Sensitivity to cold stimulus from tooth preparation can occur

Week 1:

• Sensitivity to cold stimulus from tooth preparation can occur, however reducing

Month 1:

• Continued improvement in sensitivity

Aftercare Instructions

Temporary Crown:

• Soft diet
• Avoid using teeth with temporary veneers for heavy functional use to minimise risk of breakages to temporary veneers
• Warm salt water rinses to assist with gingival irritation after preparation procedure

After Permanent Crown:

• Warm salt water rinses to assist with gingival irritation after preparation procedure
• Optimal plaque control with tooth brushing and flossing/interdental brush use
• Use of occlusal splint nightly if issued
• Maintain a regular 6 monthly check up and clean minimum

Typical Lifespan: 8-10 years

Depends on:

• Materials used, i.e., composite resin, ceramic or porcelain and gold
• Optimal oral hygiene, diet and medical condition

Most Common Issues

• Pulp devitalisation
• Sensitivity
• Breakage of temporary veneers
• Chronic gingival irritation
• A crown cannot be repaired if it is damaged or if the gum shrinks away from the top
• Crown preparation also involves the removal of some tooth structure

Limitations

Zoom whitening treatments are not intended to lighten artificial teeth, caps, crowns, veneers or porcelain, composite or other restorative materials, and these types of restorations may need to be replaced at my expense to match my newly whitened teeth.

• Darkly stained yellow or yellow-brown teeth frequently achieve better results than people with grey or bluish-grey teeth
• Previous orthodontic treatments may cause teeth to whiten unevenly if any resin from the treatment was not properly removed from the teeth, either due to residual resin remaining on the teeth or over polishing upon removal
• Those with porcelain fused to metal crowns, amalgams, lingual bars or implants may feel excessive heat
• Teeth with many fillings or cavities may not lighten and are usually best treated with other non-whitening alternatives
• Teeth with multiple colourations, bands, splotches or spots due to tetracycline use or fluorosis don’t whiten as well, may whiten unevenly, may require additional whitening, or may not whiten at all

Potential Complications

Tooth Sensitivity/Pain 

During the first 24 hours after Zoom treatment, some patients can experience some tooth sensitivity or pain. This is normal and is usually mild, but it can be worse in susceptible individuals. Normally, tooth sensitivity or pain following a Zoom treatment subsides within 24 hours, but in rare cases can persist for longer periods of time in susceptible individuals. People with existing sensitivity, recession exposed root surfaces, exposed dentin, untreated caries, cracked teeth, abfractions, oral tissue injury, open cavities, leaking fillings, or other dental conditions that cause sensitivity or allow higher penetration of the gel into the tooth may find that those conditions increase or prolong tooth sensitivity or pain after Zoom treatment.

Gum/Lip/Cheek Inflammation/Burn 

Improper isolation during the whitening procedure may cause or result in (i) inflammation of your gums, lips or cheek margins due to exposure of a small area of those tissues to the whitening gel or the LED light, or (ii) a chemical burn due to whitening gel coming in contact with soft tissue. The inflammation or burn is usually temporary and will subside in a few days, but may persist longer and may result in significant pain or discomfort, depending on the degree to which the soft tissues were exposed to the gel or LED light.

Dry/Chapped Lips 

The Zoom treatment involves three, 15-minute sessions during which the mouth is kept open continuously for the entire treatment by a plastic retractor which covers the lips. This could result in dryness or chapping of the lips or cheek margins, which can be treated by application of lip balm, petroleum jelly or Vitamin E oil.

Cavities or Leaking Fillings 

Most dental whitening is indicated for the outside of the teeth, except for patients who have already undergone a root canal procedure. If any open cavities or fillings that are leaking and allowing gel to penetrate the tooth are present, significant pain could result. Cavities and leaking fillings should be addressed before undergoing the Zoom treatment.

Cervical Abrasion/Erosion 

These are conditions which affect the roots of the teeth when the gums recede and they are characterized by grooves, notches and/or depressions, that appear darker than the rest of the teeth, where the teeth meet the gums. These areas appear darker because they lack the enamel that covers the rest of the teeth. Even if these areas are not currently sensitive, they can allow the whitening gel to penetrate the teeth, causing sensitivity. If cervical abrasion/erosion exists on my teeth, these areas will be covered with dental dams prior to my Zoom treatment.

Relapse 

After the Zoom treatment, it is natural for the teeth that underwent the Zoom treatment to regress somewhat in their shading after treatment. This is natural and should be very gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents. Treatment usually involves wearing a take-home tray or repeating the Zoom treatment.

Contraindications

Zoom treatment is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.