Today’s cutting-edge method of tooth restoration is implantation. It is supremely important to be able to clean these replacement teeth with due thoroughness even at home. More often than not the long-term success of implants depends on efficient and thorough home cleaning and reporting for regular dental check-ups. Let us set the record straight at the beginning: titanium implants and porcelain crowns require even more care than natural teeth!
The long-term success of implants depends on thorough and effective home care (image credit: internet)
Bacteria easily sticks underneath the gum (subgingivally), particularly at the interface of the crown and the implant, initially forming a film that later converts into tartar. Bacteria propagating underneath the gums and making their way the bone mass cause the inflammation of soft and hard tissues and periimplantitis, which may lead to the loosening of the artificial root and the replacement teeth and even the subsequent loss thereof.
Tools for cleaning implants:
- Toothbrush
- Dental floss or interdental brush
- Single-tufted brush
- Super Floss
If multiple teeth are replaced with a dental implant the daily routine of brushing hardly differs from the regular one. Brushing should last at least two minutes after every meal, followed by the cleaning of interdental spaces with the use of an interdental brush or dental floss Super Floss).
The cleaning of a screw-retained implant crown with an interdental brush. The head of the small brush sticks through under the crown in the interdental space. Pressing, pulling and rotating movements can all be performed with it.
Implant
The implant, especially along the gum line can also be cleaned with a single-tufted brush following a regular brush.
Spaces difficult to access by a single-tufted brush can also be thoroughly cleaned
If a multiple-unit bridge is mounted on the implants installed, not only do the dental implants need to be cleaned, so do stand-alone units and the bottoms of the bridge units. To this end, we may use a single tufted brush, an interdental brush or Super Floss.
With Super Floss the implant necks, and the underside of the implant bridge and bars can also be thoroughly cleaned (image credit: internet)
The cleaning of a screw-retained implant with Super Floss dental flossl
With removable replacement teeth and full-arch dentures anchored on implants, thorough daily cleaning of both the implant and the denture is all-implortant. Following regular brushing with a conventional tooth brush the implants and bars can also be cleaned individually, and more thorougly, with a single tufted brush. With bars, the use of an interdental brush and Super Flosss is indicated for cleaning the implant collar and the underside of the bar at least once or twice daily, preferably FOLLOWING EACH MEAL.
Intraoral view of bar intended for 4 upper implants. Cleaning the implants and the bar requires special attention so that the bar and denture sparkle and glitter at all times.
Cleaning replacement teeth intended for implants with an interdental brush is crucially important (image credit: internet)
The cleaning of a full-arch lower bridge retained by implants with an interdental brush
Remember to report for annual dental check-ups. The oral cavity does not only contain teeth but also a complex masticatory system involving the gums, oral mucosa, jawbones, masticatory muscles and the tongue. Unfortunately, not only our teeth may decay, but other diseases may develop in the oral cavity or symptoms of disorders affecting other organs may present in the mouth. Dental check-ups and radiography are crucial and simple measures of the prevention, screening and the timely diagnosis of severe ailments.
Annual professional tartar removal and dental check-up are indicated even in the event of:
- sound teeth
- wisdom teeth having been removed or never having erupted
- no replacement teeth whatsoever,
- the amount of tartar being extremely low
- all teeth having been removed and replaced by a full-arch overdenture
Biannual dental check-up and professional tartar removal are indicated in the event of:
- existing, or suspected periodontal disease
- post implant surgery
- fixed or removable replacement teeth
- crowded teeth
- orthodontic devices
- heavy smoking
- heavy alcohol consumption
- tumour patients
- diabetic patients
- cardiological disease
- psychiatric patients (under medical treatment)
- frequent gingival bleeding
- chronic diseases
- osteoporosis
Smokers are at higher risk for the formation of oral diseases, periodontal disease and tumours than non-smokers are. Smoking greatly contributes to vasoconstriction, adversely affecting the blood supply of the gums and hindering the delivery of appropriate nutrients and vitamins to the tissues of the oral cavity. With smoking, the long-term success of implants and bone grafts is highly compromised! The only viable solution is quitting, which is not only crucially important for your teeth but also for the whole body (lungs, heart, brain, veins, etc.). Be strong, and brace yourself to quit smoking even by joining a smoking cessation programme, if needs be. Regular professional tartar removal and dental check-ups are of marked importance for smokers!
If you have any questions regarding oral care products and their use, feel free to contact our colleagues who will be more than pleased to assist you in selecting the right device and will also explain their appropriate use.
