Consent for Implant Surgery

You have the right to understand your proposed treatment before deciding whether to go ahead. By signing, you confirm that you understand the treatment, its known risks, and the alternatives.

Small incisions are made in the gum, and one or more implants (artificial roots) are placed in the jawbone. Once the implants have healed, an abutment (connector) and a crown, bridge or denture are attached to replace the missing teeth. The fees include, at a minimum, the implant, the abutment and the final restoration.

Alternatives such as a bridge, a removable partial or complete denture, a temporary removable tooth, or no treatment have been explained to you. Having considered them, you would like implants to help secure replacement teeth.

Sometimes extra procedures are needed, such as grafting with bone or a bone substitute, or membranes and the small pins or screws that hold them. The need for these may only become clear once surgery has started. Additional fees apply if they are needed.

• pain, swelling and bruising, and limited mouth opening for several days;
• bleeding that is prolonged or heavy and needs further treatment;
• infection that needs further treatment;
• damage to nearby teeth or their roots;
• nerve injury causing tingling, numbness or pain in the chin, lips, cheek, gums, tongue or teeth, or a change in taste, which may be temporary or permanent;
• an opening into the sinus that needs further treatment; and
• rarely, a fracture of the jaw.

• An implant may not bond to the bone, or may later lose bone around it, and need to be removed. Further surgery may then be needed.
• Screws or cement can loosen, and porcelain, metal or acrylic can chip or break. Repairs have additional costs.
• Fixed teeth: where bone is lacking, lip and cheek support or appearance may be affected; air can escape under the teeth and affect speech; and food can collect under them, because space is needed to clean around the implants.
• Removable teeth: sore spots, trapped food, wear of attachments that then need replacing, and some early difficulty with speech.

Implants can develop gum and bone disease, much like natural teeth, and plaque left in the mouth is a leading cause. Keep your implants, gums and mouth clean every day. High sugar intake, alcohol, smoking and poorly controlled diabetes all increase the risk of the tissues breaking down.

Once an implant is placed, the whole treatment plan needs to be completed on schedule, and you will need regular visits for examination and maintenance. Unexpected long-term changes may require more surgery, changes to the implant, or its removal. You are responsible for the cost of long-term maintenance, including cleanings, replacement attachments, x-rays and examinations.

No one can promise how long an implant will last. Treatment is expected to improve your dental health and comfort, but there is a risk that it fails, relapses or needs further treatment.