Caring For Dental Implants
Cleaning around dental implants differs from natural teeth because implants attach to the gums and bone differently and are made from different materials. Implants act as artificial roots, with crowns, bridges, or dentures attached via an abutment.
Just like natural teeth, implants need daily brushing and flossing to prevent plaque buildup. Without proper care, this can lead to peri-implantitis—a serious infection that may cause bone loss and implant failure.
Our hygiene team plays a key role in keeping your implants healthy. Professional cleanings require the right tools, selected based on an oral exam to assess debris type, location, and how firmly it’s attached.
To keep dental implants healthy, our team uses special plastic or resin instruments that won’t scratch the implant, crown, abutment, or denture. Scratches on these smooth surfaces can trap bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. Unlike implants, natural teeth can be safely cleaned with metal tools.
If the implant body becomes visible, it may signal gum or bone loss due to infection. Implants are often rough or threaded to help bond with bone—but this also makes them harder to clean.
Despite these challenges, implants have a success rate over 95%. Preventing peri-implantitis through proper cleaning is key to their long-term health and function.
