Dental implants, though closely resembling natural teeth in many aspects, require a distinctive level of care and attention to ensure their longevity and optimal function. While they cannot develop cavities, they are not immune to certain challenges, particularly if you have a history of gum disease. Understanding the unique demands of dental implants is crucial to maintaining their health and preventing complications like peri-implantitis — a condition that leads to inflammation around the implant, eventually resulting in bone loss and potential implant failure.
The journey of maintaining dental implants begins with acknowledging their differences from natural teeth. Despite their strength and stability, implants do not possess the same protective mechanisms that natural teeth do. They lack a periodontal ligament and do not exactly have the same gum tissue barrier between the implant and the bone that a tooth does between the root and the bone. This underscores the importance of proactive care to prevent issues that can compromise the implant’s integration.
To safeguard your investment in dental implants, it is essential to incorporate an additional maintenance layer into your oral hygiene routine. Seeking care from a periodontist, such as Dr. Dan Thousand or Dr. Katelyn Fleming, ensures that the specific needs of your implants are thoroughly addressed. While general dentists offer excellent care, a periodontist’s expertise in assessing gum and bone levels around implants is invaluable.
Efficient cleaning techniques are key to maintaining implant health. The C-shape and figure-eight flossing techniques, along with subgingival curettage using waterpiks, are effective in removing debris and plaque from around the implant. Incorporating specific settings and electric toothbrushes enhances your cleaning routine, preserving the implant’s surrounding tissues.
Regular dental X-rays, more frequent than those taken for natural teeth, play a vital role in monitoring the health of your implants. Additionally, prosthesis removal in full-arch implant cases is typically done every one to two years to ensure all parts have not been damaged. Just like you would take your car in for a full tune up, the parts in implants can wear out and require placement. If this is not caught early enough, it can create problems with the implant. Bone loss around implants can occur more rapidly, making early detection imperative. If complications arise, prompt intervention is essential. Our periodontists and team are well-equipped to handle issues related to implants. The treatment process often includes detoxification of the implant surface using lasers and antibiotic medications. In more advanced cases, procedures like bone grafting and soft tissue grafting may be necessary. In extreme situations, implant removal might be considered.
Our expertise as periodontists, encompassing a deep understanding of bone and gum structures, positions us as the ideal dental professionals to safeguard the health of your dental implants. Serving the Denver area, including Littleton, Greenwood Village, Lakewood, Aurora, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Roxborough and Castle Rock, our commitment to excellence resonates in every facet of our practice.
To embark on the journey toward maintaining the health of your dental implants, reach out to Periodontal Associates by calling 303-795-5700. Our guidance and expertise promise a radiant and confident smile empowered by the latest in dental technology. Contact us today and embrace the future of dental implant maintenance in Centennial, Colorado, benefiting from the unmatched understanding of periodontal specialists.