Dental Implant maintenance cleaning is the process of removing saliva, mucous, food particles, tobacco products, or other debris from an individual’s teeth or dental implants. The materials used in the process are metal alloy, stylistic acrylic resin, and porcelain. Implants are made of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy is a biocompatible material with low levels of tissue reactivity. It is used to build the skeletal system of various life forms, including humans.
Dental implant maintenance cleaning is done to:
- Remove plaque and remnants between the tooth and the implant
- Keep the surrounding tissues healthy
- Ensure that teeth remain intact
- Ensure that implants function correctly (i.e., allowing for proper mastication, speech, and smiling)
- Maintain the health of the oral cavity, gingival tissues, and maxillofacial area
- Prevent or eliminate sensorineural hearing loss
- Reduce the risk of developing various oral diseases
Types of Impact Cleaning
There are different types of implant cleaning methods being used today. These include:
Traditional brushing
Traditional brushing uses a toothbrush and abrasive toothpaste. Toothbrushes come in various sizes, shapes, and textures to suit different people’s preferences. The bristles range from soft to medium to hard.
Brushing is done by putting an appropriate amount of toothpaste on the brush and using a gentle circular motion to clean all surfaces of the teeth. Toothbrushes can be used with dental floss to remove soft deposits around the implants.
Instrument cleaning
Instrument cleaning is done with a scaler to remove debris from between dental implants, around the neck area of an implant, or other sites that are difficult to reach. The dentist uses a brush attachment for gentle scrubbing while using gloved hands to rotate the ultrasonic device. This will help in removing plaque and other debris from the implant surfaces.
Tissue fluid removal
The dentist will use cotton or surgical gauze soaked with a saline solution to remove tissue fluid from dental implants and other areas in the mouth. The moistened gauze may be used with an ultrasonic device to loosen accumulated debris. The saline solution alleviates soreness. But, it may lead to mucous membrane irritation and swelling of the face due to its hypertonic nature.
Irrigation
In implant cleaning, irrigation is done with water from a pressurized container. This method helps in removing plaque between teeth or implants. Irrigation can be done using pulsating movements for deep cleaning on the neck of the implants. This method is similar to flossing.
Intraoral cleaning
This method is done with water or saline solution. The dentist will use a gloved finger or wooden stick to remove debris that accumulates on teeth, implants, and other mouthparts. Because of its simplicity, this method costs less than other methods, but it is time-consuming and not very effective in removing plaque.
Tartar removal
Plaque and tartar may become stiff and attached to the implants. If left untreated, they can irritate gingival tissues or tooth decay. The dentist will remove these by scaling around an implant with a scaler with rounded or spoon-shaped tips. This is done using a hand-powered ultrasonic device.
Antiseptic treatment
This method involves wiping the implant surfaces with an antiseptic solution to reduce the number of microorganisms in the oral cavity. Some dentists also use antibiotic rinses. Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide can be applied to implants during this method. During irrigation, the acidity of hydrogen peroxide increases due to its release of oxygen.
Chemical cleaning
The dentist uses a chemical solution that is safe for the tissues around the implant site. There are various types of chemicals used by dentists today, but most are antimicrobial or antibacterial. The chemical might be applied through mechanical scrubbing with gauze.
Process of Dental Implant Cleaning
The process of impact cleaning involves a specially fitted dental handpiece with a rubber cup attached to its end. The tip may be made from a metal alloy, porcelain, or plastic polymer resin. The cups are interchangeable and can be replaced when worn out or damaged.
It utilizes a stream of high-pressure air and water to remove debris from the implant crown. The process is much faster as compared to the indirect method. It can clean up to 4 implants in a single placement or attachment. It also reduces the risk of damage due to soft tissue contamination as instruments are not inserted into the tissues.
The process is implemented in cases with difficult access to the posterior areas of implants due to a lack of clinical crowns. In such cases, the process allows easy access to the implant surface.
The process can be performed on implants with a height of more than 1mm without affecting their compatibility. In the case of implants that have been placed after tooth extraction, it helps to reduce the risk of damage due to inadequate access during brushing and flossing.
Impact cleaning has better advantages than other methods. It allows easy access to the posterior areas of implants, is less time-consuming, and can be done without the insertion of instruments in soft tissues. The process reduces bacteria around implants, which eventually leads to the improvement in health conditions that were caused due to implant placement.
