Dental implants can provide you with a lot of benefits. We will discuss how we can take care of these implants to make them last a lifetime.
If you want to learn more about the importance of dental implants or how the implant procedure works, please read this article.
What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are a permanent solution to replace missing teeth. They are also known as “implant retained dentures” and “implant supported dentures”. Dental implants are titanium posts that are placed surgically into your jaw bone. Once the implant is placed, the bone will fuse with the implant, creating a solid and stable foundation for replacing your missing teeth.
How do I take care of my dental implants?
To ensure an implant’s longevity, specific techniques and efforts must be made to keep it clean and free of destructive bacteria and plaque, which can cause infection in the prosenchyma surrounding the implant and ultimately result in failure. Without a tenacious biofilm removal strategy, peri-implantitis can develop, eventually leading to implant loss.
Do Dental Implants Need To Be Cleaned by a Dental Hygienist?
Dental hygienists are critical in maintaining disease-free dental implants. Because conventional dental hygiene scalers used on natural chompers can scratch a crown, abutment, or implant, your hygienist will instead use specialised dental tools to clean without causing damage thoroughly.
Implant recipients also contribute significantly to the success of their restoration and must be motivated to maintain the implant properly.
Here are some tips for providing the best care possible at home:
- At least twice daily, brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Utilise a toothpaste with a low abrasive rating.
- Brush the area beneath and around the implant crown.
- Clean difficult-to-reach areas with a nylon-coated interdental brush.
- Daily flossing with unwaxed tape or implant-specific floss.
- Use an oral irrigator.
Impact of Smoking on Dental Implant Lifespan
The lifespan of your dental implants relies on more than how well you take care of your teeth. Smoking is often a significant cause in the failure of dental implants and poor oral hygiene.
This will be something that will factor into your assessment before your dentist can certify you as suitable for an implant.
What can happen if I do not maintain proper dental implant care?
Implants can develop complications if not adequately cared for daily. The first indication of a problem is the presence of bleeding; this is referred to as mucositis. Current scientific evidence indicates that this condition is treatable and reversible if detected early. Unfortunately, if the infection progresses to bone loss, which is referred to as peri-implantitis, the bone loss is irreversible. If peri-implantitis is left untreated, it can progress to advanced bone loss and require the implant to be removed.
Get a Free Dental Implant Quote From our Australian Trained Dentists
Dental implants are a significant undertaking that you would not want to entrust with just anyone. They are, however, worth the investment.
It is the most commonly chosen option with patients for missing teeth, and you get a more natural look and feel. You are looking to improve and change your life.
At the end of the day, you make a saving but can encounter many challenges. Put the health and care of your teeth in the hands of those you can trust.
Get a free quote today from Dr Peter Laird at Glenferrie Dental.