Dental Implant Cleaning & Sterilization
Following your dental implant procedure, you will likely have some discomfort along with some swelling and bruising. The pain, swelling, and discomfort should begin to subside within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medication and ice therapy. You may also have some mild bleeding for the first few days which can be managed with gauze pads. If prescribed antibiotics, take as directed, especially if you are susceptible to developing infections.
During this recovery period, it is important to follow a soft food diet for at least two weeks or longer if directed. If after your procedure any of your symptoms persist or increase in severity, schedule a follow-up appointment with your periodontist so they can evaluate the implant and determine if there are any issues that need to be addressed.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Dental Implants
Although having dental implants is an effective way to restore the health and functionality of your mouth and improve your overall oral health, it is important to be aware that just like your normal teeth, dental implants are also susceptible to periodontal disease, which is why it is important that you practice good oral self-care at home. For patients who have a removable denture, it is important to remove and thoroughly clean your implant each night and soak your denture. Once removed, it is also important to thoroughly clean around the implant itself, in addition to thoroughly cleaning the rest of your teeth and gums. If proper self-care is not taken, peri-implantitis may develop, which can cause your implant to fail.
Importance of Regular Cleanings
Equally important to practicing good self-care is scheduling regular periodontal maintenance. This is especially true for patients who have been diagnosed with periodontitis because they are at an increased risk of developing peri-implantitis. During this evaluation, your periodontist will measure your gum pocket depths and look for indications of peri-implantitis. If there are any causes for concern, they will take diagnostic exams to determine if bone loss has occurred. If peri-implantitis is identified, a treatment plan can be developed and implemented. Peri-implantitis is progressive, so the sooner it is identified and treated, the less likely you are to develop serious oral health issues or have your implant fail.
The frequency of maintenance will largely depend on the severity of your case and how susceptible you are to periodontal disease, but no one with dental implants should go longer than six months without having a routine cleaning and inspection. In addition to benefitting from a professional cleaning, which utilizes instruments that are able to remove plaque and calculus that normal brushing and flossing cannot, these appointments also provide your periodontist with an opportunity to monitor the health and status of your dental implants.
Although peri-implantitis is a relatively common issue among patients with dental implants, the good news is that it is largely preventable, provided you are committed to cleaning them regularly and properly and that you schedule regular exams. If you have additional questions about what steps you can take to avoid developing peri-implantitis, such as lifestyle changes or adding additional maintenance as part of your regular routine, talk to your periodontist, who cam provide you with detailed recommendations based on their thorough understanding of your unique oral health history and needs.