Implant Maintenance
Essential care practices for maintaining dental implants long-term.
Dental implant maintenance is critical for preventing peri-implantitis — inflammation around the implant that leads to bone loss and potential implant failure. Daily care includes brushing around the implant with a soft brush (angled to reach below the gum line), using floss threaders or water flossers for under-crown cleaning, and interdental brushes for accessible areas. Professional maintenance every 3-6 months includes: plastic or titanium scalers (metal instruments can scratch the implant surface), probing depth measurements, radiographic monitoring of bone levels, and debridement of any calculus. Early signs of problems include bleeding on probing, increased probing depths, suppuration, and radiographic bone loss. Risk factors for peri-implantitis include smoking, diabetes, poor hygiene, and history of periodontal disease. Implants lack the periodontal ligament of natural teeth, making them more susceptible to certain types of damage.