Dental Implant Maintenance

Maintaining dental implants requires a different approach than caring for natural teeth due to differences in their attachment to bone and gums, as well as the materials used. Implants replace tooth roots and support restorations like crowns, bridges, or dentures, which are connected through an abutment. Just like natural teeth, plaque can accumulate on implant-supported restorations, and if not properly removed through daily brushing and flossing, it can lead to peri-implantitis—a severe infection that can cause bone loss and implant failure.

At Griffith Family Dental, our dental hygiene team plays a vital role in keeping implants free from infection through specialized cleanings using non-abrasive instruments made of plastics and resins to protect the implant's smooth surface from bacterial buildup. If an implant body becomes visible, it may indicate gum or bone loss, making professional care even more critical. Despite the unique challenges of cleaning implants, they have an outstanding long-term success rate of over 95%, provided they receive proper care and maintenance.