Dental Warranty Policy
Full terms and conditions of the ArtSmiles Dental Warranty Policy, effective for current treatments.
ArtSmiles is committed to delivering consistently high-quality dentistry as a standard of care. For this reason, the ArtSmiles Dental Warranty Policy forms part of our Quality Assurance Program. This Policy is intended to reassure patients of the standards applied to clinical treatment while clearly defining the scope, conditions, and limitations of warranty coverage.
We recognise that patients are not dental professionals and that dental treatments represent a significant investment. While high clinical standards are fundamental, the longevity of dental treatments depends not only on the care provided by the clinician, but also on the patient's ongoing commitment to preventative care and maintenance.
The purpose of this Policy is to provide clear guidance to patients and staff regarding:
- Warranty coverage and applicable procedures
- Patient responsibilities and expectations
- Warranty exclusions and limitations
What Is Covered
Subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Policy, ArtSmiles will repair or replace, at no additional charge, any covered treatment that fails due to faulty materials or workmanship, provided the patient has complied with the Patient Responsibilities described below.
What Is Not Covered
This Limited Warranty does not cover:
- Procedures not listed as eligible for warranty coverage
- Pre-existing conditions
- Cosmetic changes such as natural discolouration
- Failure caused by inadequate oral hygiene or non-compliance with preventative care
- Failure resulting from:
- non-compliance with Patient Responsibilities
- treatment performed by another provider without prior consent
- medical conditions or substance use affecting oral health
- trauma or conditions causing damage to oral structures
- bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching), where excessive occlusal forces significantly exceed normal functional loads
Maintaining Your Coverage
Warranty coverage applies to normal functional use of dental treatments, provided that:
- The treatment provided corresponds to the clinically recommended procedure and no Notice of Non-Ideal Treatment has been signed
- Oral hygiene and maintenance instructions provided by the ArtSmiles clinician are followed
- The patient must remain under the ongoing care of ArtSmiles and attend all maintenance and review appointments at the recall interval prescribed by the treating clinician. A grace period of up to 90 days beyond the prescribed recall interval is permitted without loss of warranty coverage. If the prescribed interval is exceeded by more than 90 days, warranty coverage may be suspended until compliance is restored and clinical reassessment is completed.
- Bruxism or clenching is absent or appropriately managed with a mouthguard where prescribed
- Gum and bone levels remain clinically stable
- No systemic illness occurs that negatively affects dental health (including, but not limited to, uncontrolled diabetes, cancer treatment, or osteoporosis)
- The patient does not smoke, recognising the established association between smoking and increased risk of periodontal disease, bone loss, and implant or restoration failure
- No corrective or modification work is undertaken by another dental provider without prior consent from ArtSmiles
- ArtSmiles is notified promptly if an issue arises. Any suspected failure must be reported within a reasonable time after discovery (not exceeding 7 days), and the patient must attend a review appointment as requested
Example – 6-Month Recall (Club)
Prescribed recall: every 6 months
Maximum allowed interval: 6 months + 90 days = approximately 9 months
If patient attends at 8.5 months → warranty valid
If patient attends at 10 months → warranty is automatically suspended
Failure to meet these responsibilities may result in reduction or loss of warranty coverage.
Dental Warranty Term
Warranty coverage commences on the date the covered treatment is completed and remains valid for the applicable warranty period, provided the patient continues to comply with the ArtSmiles Dental Preventive Program.
ArtSmiles Dental Preventive Program
The longevity of dental treatment depends on preventative care. All patients eligible for warranty coverage must participate in the ArtSmiles Dental Preventive Program as prescribed by their clinician.
Preventive care is prescribed according to the patient's individual risk assessment and clinical findings. Recall intervals may be set at 3, 6, or 12 months (not exceeding 12 months) and are determined solely at the professional judgement of the treating dentist.
Preventive visits may include, where clinically indicated, comprehensive examinations, professional cleaning, periodontal assessment, radiographs, fluoride application, occlusal review, implant maintenance, and other preventive procedures necessary to monitor and protect oral health.
The prescribed recall interval forms part of the patient's ongoing maintenance plan and cannot be modified at the patient's discretion. Failure to attend maintenance appointments within the prescribed timeframe may affect warranty eligibility.
Coverage by Treatment Category
Select a treatment category below to view the specific procedures, coverage scope, and exclusions applicable under this Policy.
Treatments Eligible for Coverage
Procedures Covered
- 521 Adhesive restoration – one surface – anterior tooth – direct
- 522 Adhesive restoration – two surfaces – anterior tooth – direct
- 526 Adhesive restoration – veneer – anterior tooth – direct
- 531 Adhesive restoration – one surface – posterior tooth – direct
- 532 Adhesive restoration – two surfaces – posterior tooth – direct
- 536 Adhesive restoration – veneer – posterior tooth – direct
Basic Warranty (Standard Coverage)
All patients, including private patients and ArtSmiles Club members, who comply with the Patient Responsibilities set out in this Policy and do not fall within the stated exclusions and limitations, are eligible for one (1) year Basic Warranty coverage for the restorative procedures listed above.
No extended warranty is offered for restorative procedures.
Participation in the ArtSmiles Club supports compliance with preventative care requirements but does not extend or modify the warranty period for restorative services.
Scope of Coverage – Restorative Procedures
| Condition | Basic Warranty (1 year) |
|---|---|
| Broken or chipped filling or veneer | Repair or replace |
| Decay beneath filling or veneer | Not covered |
| Wear of filling or veneer | Repair or replace |
| Debonding of veneer | Recement or replace |
| Mild sensitivity after filling | One (1) session of laser therapy |
| Occlusal adjustment of high filling | One (1) adjustment |
| External trauma | Not covered |
| Staining around filling or veneer | Not covered |
| Sharp pain after filling* | Not covered |
* Sharp pain may occur following restorative procedures, particularly in deep cavities. This represents a known biological risk of treatment and is not covered under this Policy.
What Is Not Covered
This warranty does not cover:
- The need for root canal treatment resulting from infection, pain, or sensitivity following a filling or veneer
- Additional procedures required due to trauma affecting a restored tooth
- Anaesthetic-related complications, including allergic reactions or nerve injury
- The need for more extensive treatment where the cavity or defect is large or structurally compromised
- Dissatisfaction related to subjective or unrealistic cosmetic expectations
Making a Warranty Claim
- Contact the ArtSmiles reception team by phone or email to advise of the concern. Do not attempt repair or seek treatment elsewhere prior to contacting us.
- An assessment appointment will be scheduled within 5 business days of your contact (priority for ArtSmiles Club members).
- At the assessment, your treating dentist will examine the restoration and determine whether the concern falls within the scope of warranty coverage.
- Where the claim is approved, repair or replacement will be scheduled at a time that suits you. No additional charge applies for warranted work.
- Where the claim is not approved (e.g. due to patient-side factors or exclusions), the dentist will explain the finding and discuss options for treatment.
Additional Conditions
- Warranty coverage is conditional on all account balances being settled in full at the time of the warranty claim.
- This policy applies to treatments completed at ArtSmiles Gold Coast only. It does not cover treatments carried out at other practices.
- ArtSmiles reserves the right to update its warranty policy for new treatments. Existing patients will always be assessed under the policy that was in effect at the time of their treatment.
- Warranty claims must be lodged within the warranty term. Concerns raised after the expiry of the warranty term will be assessed on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the treating dentist.
- For any questions about this policy, please speak with our reception team or ask to speak with the practice manager.