Dental implants can last a lifetime with the proper care, but what exactly does that mean? Your dentist will make sure to review your specific care instructions after your dental implant procedure, but generally speaking, dental implants can be maintained the same way the natural teeth are, with regular brushing and flossing and regular dental checkups and cleanings. At these professional cleanings, things will be a little different than they are for cleaning natural teeth. Dental hygienists use specialized instruments to clean dental implants without damaging the surfaces of the dental restorations, and to thoroughly clean the specialized structures of the implant abutment where it interacts with the gum tissue.
Dental implants function like the natural root of a tooth and serve as their replacements. The part of the dental implant restoration that is visible above the gum line is the crown, bridge, or denture – the artificial tooth or teeth. The restoration attaches to an abutment, which is a connecting fixture that secures the restoration to the implant. The actual implant is a small cylindrical post that is surgically placed into the jaw. Implant posts are made of material that is attracted to bone and that fuses with bone as it heals. Once the bone has healed, an implant can support a dental restoration for many years, but only when they’re cared for properly.
The area where the abutment meets the gum tissue is supported by fibers of collagen that hold the gums in place on the tooth. This area of attachment differs significantly from the attachment mechanism of a natural tooth and requires specialized professional cleaning. Additionally, in a natural tooth, this attachment is a source of nutrients and blood for the teeth, but without this attachment ligament, the area is more prone to infection and therefore relies on meticulous cleaning to keep it healthy. It also faces a more catastrophic outcome if it does become infected.
The healthy tissues that surround dental restorations are responsible for keeping the dental implants stable and strong. Bacterial plaque builds up on restorations and soft tissues just like it does on natural teeth, and it should be regularly removed to maintain the health of these tissues. If allowed to accumulate at the site of a dental implant, plaque and tartar can cause an infection called peri-implantitis, which will cause the implant to fail. When an implant fails, it can wreak havoc on the bone in the jaw in a brief period of time, creating a crater in the bone and leading to the ejection of the implant. Dental hygienists are instrumental in preventing this from happening. You may see your hygienist selecting from ultrasonic tools, gentle manual tools like brushes, and traditional mechanical tools made of softer materials like resin rather than stainless steel. These instruments help the dental hygienist address the unique needs of your dental implants and ensure their longevity. Daily home hygiene is important, but your dental hygienist can work magic for your dental implants, so see your dentist regularly and keep your implants happy, helping them keep you happy, too.