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Dental Implants need special care to keep them clean and trouble free. Much of the success depends on keeping each abutment post clean and plaque-free. Just like natural teeth, you should clean your dentures, both the posts and the prosthesis, after every meal.
a. Removable: You should brush the inside and the outside of a removable prosthesis. Then brush around the gums and abutments with the prosthesis removed.
b. Fixed: Brush a fixed prosthesis thoroughly, as you would natural teeth.
c. You may want to use a cordless electric toothbrush, such as Rotadent, Braun Oral B, or Sonicare. These are very effective in cleaning in and around the implants.
d. You may want to use an interdental brush. Make sure it has a nylon-coated center wire to avoid scratching the soft metal surface of the abutment posts.
e. Oral irrigators are also effective in reducing plaque accumulation around natural teeth and implants.
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You need to floss more than ever before. You may be asked to use a special floss to clean around your gums, posts, and teeth.
a. Floss around the abutment posts of a removable prosthesis with your teeth removed.
b. You may need the help of a floss threader. Floss threaders help you introduce the floss under bridges and bars so these areas can be easily cleaned.
c. You may need a special wide floss for additional help in cleaning your implants, called “superfloss.”
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a. A lighted, magnified mirror will help you see your abutment posts more clearly.
b. Full frame reading glasses are available without prescription at your pharmacy to give you the close-up vision you may need.
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When you have your final prosthesis, we will take an impression to make you a night guard. This is a piece of plastic that is molded to fit your teeth securely. It can be worn at night while you are sleeping to guard you from bruxing (grinding) your teeth or even daytime clenching. This motion can cause harm to your implants.
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Dental cleanings should be performed by your dental hygienist / restorative dentist every 3-4 months.
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| The patient should present this to our oral and Mmaxillofacial surgery office for clinical and panoramic evaluation on a yearly basis. |
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