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(707) 795-4523

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Rohnert Park, Blue Apple Dental GroupRohnert Park, Blue Apple Dental Group
Rohnert Park, Blue Apple Dental GroupRohnert Park, Blue Apple Dental Group


(707) 795-4523

6230 State Farm Drive Rohnert Park, CA 94928
  • Home
  • Family Dental Services
    • Our Happy Families
      • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Children 4-12
      • Teens 13-18
      • Moms & Dads
    • Smile Easy
      • Invisalign Clear Braces
      • Whitening Teeth
      • Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Same Day Crowns
    • Stay Healthy
      • Pediatric Dental Health
      • Wellness Information
      • Cleanings & Hygiene
    • Save Money & Time
      • Save Money on Invisalign
      • Save Time – Same Day Crowns
      • Special Savings for New Patients
      • Pediatric Dental Savings Special
      • Free Dental Implant Consultations
  • Medical Dentistry Services
    • Orthodontics
      • Invisalign Clear Braces
      • Same Day Crowns
      • Sedation Dentistry
    • Periodontics
      • Sedation
      • Gum Disease
      • Receding Gum Therapy
    • Dental Implants
      • Dental Implants
      • Implant Fixed Bridges
      • Implant Attached Crowns
      • Single Tooth Dental Implants
      • Multiple Teeth Dental Implants
      • Full Arch Dental Implants
      • Narrow Dental Implants
      • Free Dental Implant Consultations
    • Oral Surgery
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Simple Tooth Extractions
      • Wisdom Tooth Extractions
      • Bone Grafting
      • Root Canal Therapy
      • Laser Dentistry
      • Oral Conscious Sedation
  • Dental Information & Resources
    • Dr. Lieu’s Advice
    • Oriana’s Advice
    • Pediatric Dental Health
    • Dental Hygiene
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    • Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I Care for my Dental Implants?

Home » How do I Care for my Dental Implants?

How do I Care for my Dental Implants?
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How do I Care for my Dental Implants?

February 28, 2017 Dental Care, Dental Implants, General FAQ, Preventive Care No Comments

Our dental hygienists always use special instruments to clean around dental implants. Why does cleaning dental implants differ from cleaning natural teeth? Cleaning around implants differs from maintenance of natural teeth. Each attaches to surrounding bone and gums in a very different way. Also, the materials from which implants are made are very different from natural teeth.

Dental implants replace the root parts of the teeth. Artificial crowns, bridgework or removable dentures — tooth replacements that make up the visible (crown) parts of teeth — are attached to the implants. In between the implant and the crown of a tooth there is a connector known as an abutment. The success of the whole system is based on the implant’s attachment to bone. Titanium, the metal of which implants are made, is “bone-loving.” It fuses to bone in a process called osseointegration (“osseo” – bone; “integration” – fusion or joining).
Above the bone where the integration process ends, the abutment comes in contact with the gum tissue where it is supported by a connective (connecting) tissue composed of tough fibers called collagen. The fibers run beneath the surface parallel to the implant ending at the top of the bone. They hold the gum tissues against the implant surface.
At the very top of the implant, the abutment and lower part of the crown attach to the gum via a specialized structure . The cells actually attach to the highly polished metal or ceramic, of which the implants are made, by means of microscopic suction pads.

By contrast, a tooth root is attached to the bony pocket that surrounds it by a periodontal ligament. The ligament is composed of tiny fibers that insert into the bone on one side and into the tooth root on the other. Above the bone, the fibers attach from the tooth into the gum tissue. An implant has no such attachment. Since the whole periodontal ligament has a greater blood supply through which it can bring cells and nutrients, it is more readily able to resist and fight against infection.

Infection Is The Enemy

Cleaning implant-supported tooth replacements is just as important as cleaning natural teeth, as both depend on healthy surrounding tissues for support. Plaque collects on implant crowns just as it does on natural teeth, and must be removed on a daily basis at home. Without daily biofilm removal, infection can develop known as peri-implantitis (“peri” – around; implant “itis” – inflammation), which can result in loss of the attachment described above. Unlike inflammation around teeth, this reaction can be quite catastrophic both in rate and amount, quickly leading to a well- or dish-shaped loss of bone around an affected implant. Bone loss can rapidly progress to loss of the implant.

The dental hygienist has an important role to play in keeping dental implants infection-free. Visiting your dental hygienist every 3 months is imperitive to maintaining the health of your implants. Your hygienist is trained in how to clean around the implant body and also to look for problems that can be fixed more easily with early intervention.

People often think dental implants are a forever solution. However, the most common reason for failure is infection. Poor hygiene or patients not coming in regularly for their teeth cleaning appointments usually results in implant complications or failure. Plaque buildup along the gumline of a natural tooth or dental implant body can lead to gum loss. Gum loss or recession can happen to either, with plaque and tartar buildup along the edge of the implant.

If any part of the implant body (root replacement portion) itself becomes visible, this may mean there is infection that has resulted in gum and/or bone loss. The implant surface becomes exposed following loss of its fusion to the bone. Implant surfaces are generally microscopically “roughened” to increase surface area for bone attachment. But this surface roughness makes implants difficult if not impossible to clean and disinfect. Additionally, some implants are screw-shaped and their threads just add to the cleaning dilemma.

Despite these special cleaning challenges, implants are highly successful. In fact, studies indicate long-term success rates well over 95%. However, the prevention of peri-implant disease is fundamental to implant health, maintenance and function. Cleaning implants and their related components is an important part of success.

Of course, we recommend people who have Dental Implants to include the following in their daily routine.

-Water-Pik use in moring and evening
-Flossing around implants in a shoe shine motion
-Rinse for 1 minute with OraCare Mouthrinse and DO NOT rinse with water or eat or drink afterwards!

Be well!

Family dental care and cosmetic dentistry and dental implants.

Blue Apple Dental Group

6230 State Farm Drive, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

(707) 795-4523

Tags: dental caredental implant paindental implantsGentle dentistryrohnert park dentistSonoma County
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Family, Pediatric, Medical & Cosmetic Dentistry

(707) 795-4523
 

Blue Apple Dental Group
6230 State Farm Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: By appointment only
 

Today’s advanced dental treatments and materials can give you a healthier and more complete smile to last you a lifetime.

Blue Apple Dental Group can help revitalize and maintain your teeth and gums, giving you the smile you’ve always wanted.

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Family, Pediatric, Medical & Cosmetic Dentistry (707) 795-4523 Blue Apple Dental Group 6230 State Farm Drive Rohnert Park, CA 94928
OFFICE HOURS
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: By appointment only

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  • 6230 State Farm Drive Rohnert Park, CA 94928
  • (707) 795-4523
  • info@blueappledentalgroup.com
  • https://blueappledentalgroup.com
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