Dental implants are becoming a primary factor in the decline of edentulism in the adult and elderly population in America. Edentulism results from the decline in cellular health during senescence, as well as dental and periodontal disease. While tooth loss is sometimes regarded as a normal part of the aging process, many elderly people display the symptoms of depression and suffer from the increased risk of contracting various diseases because of their reduced chewing ability. Dental implants can improve the health of edentulous people, restore the functionality of their teeth, and repair their smiles.

Taking Care of Your Dental Implants

The easiest way to take care of one’s implants is to treat it with the same care as you would your own teeth. Brushing and regular flossing protect both the teeth and gums, which are susceptible to bacterial decay and periodontal disease. However, the fact that your implants are made of inorganic materials may call for simpler maintenance procedures and more frequent visits to the dentist who can help you with this.

Protect Your Implants from Bacteria

While dental implants are not actual teeth, plaque and calculus can still develop around them. This can damage not only the periodontium the implant is placed in but also the implant, as the bacteria that infest the tartar excretes acid that damages bodily tissues and some inorganic materials. At Lasting Smiles Dental Care in Las Vegas, we can help you prevent this by giving you special brushes that allow you to thoroughly clean the perimeter of the implant. Your dentist or dental hygienist can also do this for you.

Visit Dr. Ghodsi

You can also visit Dr. Ghodsi who will perform a quick probe of your implants as part of the maintenance of your dental implants. Your dentist uses a tool to gently look through the gingival sulcus, which is the tiny fold between your gums and your teeth. This allows us to assess the health of your periodontium and the implant. Dr. Ghodsi may also do a radiographic assessment of your implant health, thus determining how well it is integrated into your jawbone.

Regular Maintenance Sessions

Ideally, the implant should remain in its place in the periodontium while osseointegration occurs. The titanium screw of the implant is designed to fuse with your own tissues after some time. Meanwhile, you should continue brushing your teeth gently to prevent calculus from developing on the implant crown’s surface. Dr. Ghodsi may help you with the cleaning process with regular maintenance sessions in the first year.

Dr. Ghodsi can also restore your implants if necessary. All plaque and calculus deposits are removed with gentle plastic instruments. These measures will ensure that your gums and implants remain in excellent condition.

If you have dental implants or are considering having dental implants installed, book your consultation with Dr. Ghodsi to find more about the proper maintenance of dental implants and if they are the right option for you.