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How to Maintain Dental ImplantsHere at West End Dental , we want to help you regain your smile and confidence. Whether you have issues with one or few missing teeth or you have completely lost all your natural teeth, we can help. There are several dental procedures that we can perform to address these issues. For example, if you want something that looks, and works, as close to natural teeth as possible, then dental implants might be the solution you are looking for. Apart from providing you with a secure fit and many other benefits, it is also the most cost-effective option since it can last upwards of 25 years or more when the implants and your oral health are properly maintained. Evaluation and Assessment of Dental ImplantsAfter a dental implant procedure, we instruct our patients to visit us regularly so that we can monitor not only the implant but the condition of the surrounding tissues as well. During evaluation and assessment, we first check the health status of the gums of our patients by looking for any signs of inflammation. We also examine the presence of plaque and document the results we can gauge the oral hygiene habits of the patient or lack thereof. The conduct of bleeding on probing (BoP) and probing pocket depth (PPD) procedures are also part of the assessment process so we can determine the health of the peri-implant soft tissues. Note that these tissues should always be healthy to ensure that implants would remain stable and will last for many years. Diagnosis and TreatmentAfter conducting the evaluation and assessment of dental implants, we would then make a diagnosis based on the results of the examinations. If no signs of inflammation or other disorders had been identified, then we would declare that the implants are a viable option. Unfortunately, if we diagnose issues such as mucositis or peri-implantitis, we would recommend the appropriate treatment to address the problem. For instance, in the case of peri-implant mucositis, we may resort to mechanical debridement that is supplemented with the application of chlorhexidine. This procedure not only helps address peri mucositis, but it also reduces plaque and swelling, among other benefits. Regarding peri-implantitis, surgical and non-surgical interventions are available, and we determine the most suitable procedure depending on the severity of the condition and other factors. Other Supportive InterventionsPatients must realize their responsibilities and their important role in maintaining their implants, specifically on plaque control. Depending on the results of the evaluation before and after the implant procedure, we will come up with a patient-specific oral care regimen that should be followed. This includes a schedule to see us at regular intervals to monitor to the progress of your recovery as well as our oral health. These oral care habits are tailored to the needs of the patient. Different approaches are needed depending on the health condition of the tissues, the extent of plaque, and other factors. We will also suggest various home care devices and aids that you can use to care and maintain your dental implants such as interdental brushes and soft bristle toothbrushes. Questions about Dental Implants?If you want to know more about dental implants, contact West End Dental at (503) 446-2957, we are more than happy to answer any of your questions. |
WE TREAT OUR PATIENTS WITH RESPECT We believe in educating patients about their treatment options and listening to their questions and concerns.WE BELIEVE IN HEALTHY TEETH FIRST We focus on prevention so that you keep your smile healthy. We provide excellent comfortable care for all procedures. |