How to Always Keep Your Implants Healthy

 

 

 

1. Brushing

 

Just like with natural teeth, brushing should be done daily to remove plaque, ideally after meals whenever possible. Use a soft or ultra-soft brush and gently touch the gum line where the implant meets the prosthesis. Massage gently with light pressure without moving the brush around too much, and use a small amount of toothpaste. Mechanical stimulation is the best method—follow the gum line like a track, stopping briefly at each tooth or space.

 

 

2. Water Pick

 

It works with hydrodynamic stimulation to remove plaque and food debris. It does not replace brushing. The device has a mini compressor that produces a water jet with moderate pressure. It's excellent for extensive prostheses with spaces between implants.

 

 

3. Dental Floss

 

Like with natural teeth, use dental floss carefully without pushing it deeply into the gums. The gums around implants are more fragile than around natural teeth and are therefore more susceptible to trauma from dental flossing.

 

 

4. Hydrogen Peroxide (10 volumes)

 

Excellent mouthwash for gum health around implants. A mixture of 1/2 cup of water with a small spoonful of hydrogen peroxide, used three times a week, is sufficient.

 

 

5. Professional Check-Up

 

This depends on each patient, mainly based on their daily care. It's recommended to visit the dental office every 6 months to 1 year.

 

During this check-up, manual cleaning with titanium or plastic curettes is performed (ultrasonic scaling with bicarbonate jet is not ideal, as it scratches the implant or prosthesis surface, leading to greater plaque buildup). Reinforcement and guidance on oral hygiene practices are provided.

A panoramic X-ray is recommended every two years.

 

Signs of bleeding or lack of gum adherence should raise concerns.

 

Check occlusal contacts and chewing lateralities.

 

If the prosthesis is stable, avoid unnecessarily testing the retention screw that holds it in place. The implant-prosthesis connection system is designed not to loosen, distributing the forces it undergoes.

 

Repeated tightening and loosening of screws can cause microscopic wear, compromise the screw integrity, and create gaps in connections, compromising the entire implant system.

 

Disassembling or torqueing this system leads to part corrosion, metal galvanism, micro-movements, saliva contamination, and unpleasant odors, resulting in bone loss around the implant, known as Peri-implantitis.

 

If it's necessary to disassemble the prosthesis, retention screws should be replaced. However, disassembly should be avoided whenever possible. According to Per Ingvar Branemark, the discoverer of implants and osseointegration, extensive prostheses should only have their prosthesis removed and the retention screws replaced every 5 years. Unitary or partial prostheses should not be disassembled.

 

By following these guidelines, it's unlikely that any problems will arise or worsen. Many patients maintain healthy implants for many years. With time and reinforced care, maintaining gum health becomes easier.