Dental implants, once seen as a breakthrough in the field
of dentistry, are a regular fare these days. One requires dental implants for
various reasons. Be it a tooth lost in trauma, or to replace an extracted
tooth, dental implants have become necessary.
At Sandalwood Smiles, the best Dental Clinic in Brampton, install close to a
hundred implants in a month. If there’s one thing patients are concerned about
after getting their implants, that’s post-procedural care.
Every day we face different queries as to how to go about
maintenance of dental implants. Can these be brushed and flossed the regular
way? Are there any special precautions to look out for?
Truth is that dental implant care should start the day
you step into a best dental clinic to get
implants. Yes. And we explain why. Complete oral care before the installation
of implants ensure a favorable environment to allow for healthy healing. It’s
important to give implants a germ free field so that they can be placed without
the risk of infection.
Signs to look for in gum tissue
Tissue that surrounds the implant should be healthy.
Here, healthy denotes free of infection. It should be pink and keratinized. If
the per-mucosal seal is not keratinized, that spells future infections. To
achieve a healthy per-mucosal seal should be the first goal of your hygienist.
This is achieved by pre-implant care of mouth and gums.
Types of implants and how dental care depends on that
Dental implants are not simply smooth titanium alloy
these days. Surface coating is added to make the surface rough which promotes
stability and longevity of the implant. This is achieved through plasma
spraying, grit blasting, and etching that increases contact surface.
Given these surface layers are very important, certain
chemicals need to be avoided. Look before you buy. One should be cautious
before buying over-the-counter home care products. Use low-abrasive toothpaste.
Avoid products containing stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, baking soda, and
stain removers. Don’t go for smoker’s toothpastes.
The high concentration of sodium fluoride in fluoride
toothpastes, combined with an acidic pH, can remove the outer oxide layer of
implant. This makes the implant susceptible to corrosion. It’s good to avoid
fluoride toothpastes completely. On the other hand, stannous fluoride causes
etching and surface roughness.
Type of toothbrush to be used
It hardly matters if you use an electric or a manual
toothbrush to clean implants. The main focus should be ease to use and ability
to reach hard to access areas. Prefer a toothbrush with small head and round
bristles. Too coarse a toothbrush can cause surface abrasion. Use a toothbrush
with soft bristles.
Flossing
Before choosing a brand, it’s good to ask your dentist.
There are different types of dental floss in market. There are also implant
specific flosses which your dentist will recommend post treatment. For
bar-retained prosthesis and full fixed retained prosthesis, a specialized floss
with in-built threader is recommended. Contrary to normal use, an unwaxed tape
floss is used for implants. Consult your
dentist for the flossing technique that differs for implant and prosthesis.
Oral Irrigation
Oral irrigation/water flossing is highly recommended for
patients with dental implants. It effectively removes plaque and inflammation.
A non-alcohol anti-microbial rinse should be used in place of water if
inflammation is persistent. Your dentist will instruct you on how to do it
properly.
These are the few things that should be kept in mind
before and after you get an implant. Keep your dental care
provider posted about the health of the implant. Make it a point to go for
regular check-ups post-op.
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