How to Care for Your Ceramic Dental Implants
With titanium implants dominating the market since their inception back in the 1960s, there’s been an overwhelming amount of products, solutions, and scientific and clinical research developed based on titanium implant systems. Now, however, we are seeing a rise in the popularity of ceramic (zirconia) dental implants yet there’s still a lot of catching up to do in terms of published articles regarding the care of ceramic implants.
At Tooth Crusader, when you receive your Straumann PureCeramic dental implant(s) our dentists will walk you through an individualised care and treatment plan; however, we’ve got some general tips on how to care for ceramic dental implants. While the steps are the same as your normal oral hygiene routine (brushing, flossing, etc), it’s important to remember that implants are not natural teeth, they behave differently and have different biology.
Brushing With A Non-Abrasive Toothpaste
Natural teeth are tightly sealed at the gum line and the fibres of the gum surround the tooth, whereas with an implant, it circles a little looser meaning food can get stuck a lot easier. This means that brushing right down to the gum line is important. At Tooth Crusader, we suggest using an electric toothbrush with a soft bristle that will prevent scratches on the ceramic crown and ensure a soft clean of the gums.
Flossing & Waterpiks
When using standard dental floss in conjunction with ceramic dental implants, it’s important to not be overzealous with it, particularly for those who have been diagnosed with peri-implantitis. While our team still recommends flossing each day, those who have implant issues may end up having fibres of the floss get stuck microscopically on the roughened surface of the implant that then gets embedded making inflammation worse. When you have dental implants, you do not need to go as deep with the floss but can instead use inter-dental brushes.
Another great option for during the day as a quick clean and rinse is the Waterpik or Airflosser which aims a stream of water at your teeth and is designed to remove food particles and may help reduce bleeding gingivitis and gum disease. It’s important to note that this is not a substitute for brushing and flossing.
Rinsing & Mouthwash
Rinsing becomes more important when you have any type of implant. We want to ensure nothing is getting stuck between those teeth for long so it’s great to always swirl some water around your mouth to remove staining agents or food debris after each meal. As mentioned a Waterpik can be a great way to do this during the day. A twice a day rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash can also help deter gum disease by lowering the bacteria in the mouth.
Dental Cleanings
A very important part of living with a dental implant is to have regular dental cleanings and checkups. This is why at Tooth Crusader we include 1 follow-up dental cleaning as part of the implant service. This is not only to ensure your implant and natural teeth are clean, and you have not developed any gum disease, but we like to see our patients flash their smiles. It is our suggestion that patients attend maintenance and hygiene appointments at least once per year, twice is even better, and for many of our patients is covered by their health insurance.
CONTACT US
If you’re unhappy with your smile and think dental implants might be the solution for you, give us a call at Tooth Crusader to see how we can help. We will work with you to provide a solution that you love and ensure the best oral hygiene practices. We can book a consultation to discuss your options. Give us a call today on (02) 8097 1838 to find out more or to begin the journey of a healthier, whiter, brighter smile that is sure to boost your confidence.