Dental Implant Maintenance in Orlando, FL
Cleaning around dental implants differs from caring for natural teeth for two key reasons. First, implants and natural teeth attach to surrounding bone and gums in different ways. Second, implant materials vary from enamel and dentin. Dental implants replace the tooth root, and the restoration whether a dental crown, bridge, or denture is connected to the implant through an abutment.
Keeping implant supported restorations clean is just as important as maintaining natural teeth. Plaque can accumulate on implant crowns and must be removed daily with proper brushing and flossing. Without consistent home care, patients risk developing peri-implantitis, an infection that can lead to rapid bone loss around the implant. Unlike inflammation around natural teeth, peri-implantitis can progress quickly, threatening the stability and survival of the implant.
Our dental hygiene team plays a vital role in maintaining the long term success of your dental implants. Selecting the correct instruments for cleaning is essential and requires a thorough oral evaluation. During your hygiene visit, we assess the type of debris present, the location of buildup, the surface texture of the implant components, and how firmly deposits adhere.
When cleaning dental implants, our team must choose instruments that will not damage the crown, bridge, denture, abutment, or implant surface. The smooth, polished surfaces of implant components must be preserved because scratches can attract bacteria. For this reason, specialized instruments made from plastics and resins are commonly used. Natural teeth, on the other hand, can safely be cleaned with metal instruments because enamel does not scratch in the same way.
If any part of the implant body becomes visible above the gum line, it may indicate bone or gum loss caused by infection. Implants often have roughened surfaces to improve bone attachment, but this texture makes cleaning and disinfecting more challenging. Threaded implant designs can add further complexity to hygiene care.
Despite these challenges, implants remain one of the most successful tooth replacement options available, with long term success rates exceeding 95 percent in many studies. Preventing peri-implantitis through proper home care and routine professional cleanings is essential for preserving implant health, stability, and long lasting function.