Maintaining Your Dental Implant
Ann Arbor MI
 Your dental implants need to be maintained. The biggest risk in the failure of a dental implant is the development of infection. Both before treatment, and following your surgical implantation, Dr. Embree will discuss and review the importance of keeping the implantation site free of unnecessary bacteria. If needed, our professional hygienist at Everwell Dentistry can work with you in getting your gums where they need to be. Maintaining your implant, and reducing the incidence of infection, can help the implant have lifelong success.
Prior to Implantation
Part of your pre-surgery work will be restoring and retaining healthy gums. Gum disease is a common problem in adults, particularly adults who have lost teeth. Gum disease is an active bacterial infection of the soft gum tissue in your mouth. We do not want to place an implant in a patient who is suffering from gum disease because:
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Gum disease is an active bacterial infection. |
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Persistent gum disease attacks the bone, which we need to be healthy for implantation. |
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The body is being forced to use resources in an attempt to fight the bacterial infection. |
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We need to establish healthy healing for the bonding of the bone and implant. |
To recover from gum disease, we need to remove the source of the infection. Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment that we do to halt the progression of periodontal, or gum disease and gingivitis. This is done through treatment with our professional hygienist. Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar that has been left on and in between your teeth. In some cases, a simple dental cleaning can remove the source, instantly restore you to health. In other cases, the hygienist will need to perform what is known as a deep cleaning. A deep cleaning goes under the gum line, removing infected material between your teeth and gums. Using an ultrasonic scaler, we remove bacteria and then smooth the roots through a process known as root planing.
Following Implantation
It will be equally important to keep your mouth clean and healthy following the implantation of your dental implants. The most crucial step will be in your daily brushing and flossing. To improve the long-term success, we need you to take care of your teeth and gums. Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory bacterial disease, causing infection. This infection can be detrimental to the long-term health of your implant, as it can lead to the gradual loss of the jawbone that supports your implant.
Signs of Peri-implantitis can include:
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Pain, bleeding or discomfort at the implant site. |
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Redness around the implant site. |
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The implant feeling loose. |
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Developing a fever. |
If you suspect infection or Peri-implantitis, contact our office immediately.
Information
For more information on maintaining your dental, and steps that can increase your long-term oral health, contact Everwell Dentistry at our Ann Arbor location. Our team can assist you in scheduling an appointment, answer your questions and provide information that can help. (734) 973-0000
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