Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity or gum tenderness after a professional clean, particularly where tartar build-up was significant or gum inflammation is present. Dental X-rays involve a dose of radiation; your dentist will only recommend them where clinically indicated.

Tooth-coloured (composite) fillings restore teeth affected by decay or damage. Following treatment, some patients may experience sensitivity to hot, cold or pressure. Fillings can wear, chip or come loose over time and may eventually need repair or replacement. In deep cavities, the tooth’s nerve may already be affected, and further treatment — such as root canal treatment — may become necessary after a filling is placed.

Removing amalgam fillings releases mercury vapour, so we follow a defined clinical protocol during removal. Risks include those of any filling replacement: sensitivity, and the possibility that a tooth with deep or extensive old fillings may later require further treatment. Whether replacing sound amalgam fillings is appropriate for you is an individual clinical decision — your dentist will discuss the considerations both for and against removal.

Whitening lightens the shade of natural teeth. It does not change the colour of existing dental work such as crowns, veneers or fillings. Side effects include tooth sensitivity and gum irritation, which may settle over a few days. Whitening can also be uneven, particularly where there are existing restorations, fluorosis or internal staining. The degree of colour change varies between individuals, and results fade over time depending on diet, smoking and oral hygiene, so top-up treatment may be needed.

Veneers are a cosmetic restoration bonded to the front surface of teeth. Where enamel is removed to place a porcelain veneer, the change is irreversible — the tooth will need some form of restoration for the rest of its life. Risks include sensitivity that can be temporary or ongoing, chipping, cracking or debonding, decay at the veneer margin, and gum recession over time that can expose the edge of the veneer. Tooth preparation can irritate the nerve and lead to the need for root canal treatment. Composite veneers can stain and need more frequent repair or replacement than porcelain. All veneers eventually need replacing. Alternatives such as whitening, direct bonding or teeth straightening may address the same concerns with less or no removal of tooth structure.

Tooth movement takes time, and treatment length varies with the complexity of your case and — for clear aligners — how consistently the aligners are worn. Not wearing aligners for the recommended hours each day can extend treatment and limit the result. During treatment you may experience tenderness after adjustments, temporary speech changes, and difficulty cleaning around fixed braces, which increases the risk of decay and gum inflammation without careful hygiene. Tooth roots can shorten during movement. Teeth can drift back after treatment, so long-term retainer wear is usually required to hold the result.

Implant treatment involves surgery, and all surgery carries risk. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, swelling, bruising, damage to nearby teeth or anatomical structures, sinus complications for upper-jaw implants, and altered sensation — temporary or lasting — if a nerve is affected. Implants rely on the jawbone integrating with the implant; sometimes this does not occur and an implant fails. A failed implant may need to be removed, with further surgery required before a replacement can be considered. Smoking, uncontrolled gum disease, some medical conditions and some medications increase the risk of complications. Implant-supported teeth also require ongoing hygiene and maintenance, and components can wear or need replacement over time.

Preparing a tooth for a crown or bridge involves removing tooth structure, which is irreversible. Some patients experience sensitivity after preparation, and the tooth’s nerve can become inflamed, leading to the need for root canal treatment. Crowns and bridges can chip, come loose or fracture, and the teeth supporting a bridge remain susceptible to decay and gum disease. With good care they can last many years, but they are not lifetime restorations and will likely need replacement at some stage.

New dentures take time to adjust to, and sore spots, altered speech and difficulty eating are common in the early period. Dentures can affect taste and may move during eating or speaking, particularly lower full dentures. Over time the jawbone under a denture changes shape, so dentures need relining, adjustment or replacement periodically. Implant-retained dentures involve the surgical risks described under dental implants.

Root canal treatment aims to retain a tooth whose nerve is infected or damaged. It is not always successful — infection can persist or return, and further treatment or extraction may be needed. Teeth are more brittle after root canal treatment and usually require a crown to protect against fracture. Complications include instrument fracture within the canal and perforation of the root. Your dentist will discuss the likelihood of success for your tooth and the alternative of extraction with or without replacement.

Risks of extraction include pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection and dry socket (a painful delayed-healing condition). Lower wisdom teeth sit near a nerve that supplies feeling to the lip, chin and tongue; its disturbance can cause altered sensation that may be temporary or lasting. Upper back teeth sit near the sinus, and an opening into the sinus can occur and may need repair. Complex cases may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Sedation carries its own risks separate from the dental procedure, including nausea, drowsiness, bruising at the injection site, and breathing or cardiovascular complications. You will need to fast beforehand as instructed, arrange for a responsible adult to take you home, and avoid driving, operating machinery and making important decisions for the rest of the day. Your suitability for sedation depends on your medical history, which is assessed beforehand.

Oral appliances are one management option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea in appropriate cases; diagnosis and overall management of sleep apnoea sit with your medical practitioner, and treatment outcomes vary. Side effects can include jaw or tooth discomfort, increased saliva or dry mouth, and, with long-term use, changes in tooth position or bite. Appliances, splints and mouthguards wear over time and need periodic review and eventual replacement. A mouthguard reduces, but cannot remove, the risk of dental injury during sport.

Treatment for children carries the same clinical risks as the equivalent adult procedures. We take the time to help children feel comfortable, but some children may still find visits distressing; where treatment needs are complex, options including referral will be discussed with you.

Tooth jewellery is attached to the tooth surface with dental adhesive. It can come loose or be swallowed, may wear the opposing tooth or irritate soft tissue, and plaque can build up around the attachment, increasing the risk of decay without careful cleaning. It does not come with a guaranteed lifespan.