Cleaning implant-supported dentures

Just as you would clean your natural teeth, you must clean implant-supported dentures at Newark Periodontics & Dental Implant Specialists regularly to maintain your oral health. While the implants that support implant-supported dentures are permanent, since they are surgically implanted in the bone, the dentures, or crowns, themselves may be removable. These crowns can be removed for cleaning, and most dentists recommend that people who have removable crowns remove them for sleeping, which gives gum tissue time to rest and wards off any possibility of infection. Even if you prefer to sleep with the crowns in place, it is still advisable to remove them periodically for cleaning. It is important to brush the tissue of the gums and tongue, as well as any exposed implants and attachment abutments, at least once a day, if not twice. Some people prefer to soak the removed dentures themselves in a cleaning solution, but it is very important to talk to your dentist before doing this, as different solutions may affect different crown materials differently, and some, like bleach, are incredibly harmful to the dentures.

If your crowns cannot be removed from the implant attachment abutments, your dentist may recommend that you use a water pick with an adjustable flow, which will allow you to rinse the area where the base of the crown meets the gum tissue. Debris can gather in this small area, and it is important to flush out any trapped debris frequently. It is also vital to floss the area around the implants, to remove any debris from the surface of the crowns themselves. You should also brush your crowns, though the type of toothpaste that is recommended will depend on the material that the crowns are made of, since some toothpastes can scratch the surface of the crown. If you have natural teeth remaining in your mouth, it is also imperative that you maintain these teeth with regular flossing and brushing, and your gum tissue and tongue must also be regularly cleaned. Some dentists recommend sleeping with a mouth guard, which may minimize wear on your implant-supported dentures.

Your dentist will demonstrate how to safely and effectively clean your implant-supported dentures, whether they are removable or not. You should also plan to schedule and maintain regular dental checkups, so that your dentist can assess the comfort and fit of your dentures and evaluate the health of your gum tissue and mouth. Your dentist may occasionally order x-rays, to make sure everything remains positioned correctly and to assess any wear on implants, abutments, and attachments. Dentists will also regularly replace the smaller parts of implant-supported dentures, like the attachment abutments, which wear out more rapidly due to their smaller size. This is especially important with removable crowns, as the attachment abutments undergo regular wear with each removal and reinsertion. With regular care, you can expect your implant-supported dentures to provide you with a lifetime of comfortable and reliable performance. For most people, implant-supported dentures are a durable alternative to temporary dentures, causing few, if any, of the problems that are often associated with traditional dentures, like discomfort, difficulty eating, or challenges with speech. Of course, you should be cautious when eating extremely hard foods, just as you would with your natural teeth. If you have implant-supported dentures and any problems arise, see your dentist immediately; most problems are relatively easy to correct if caught in time. If you treat your implant-supported dentures like the lifetime investment that they are, they will provide you with a long-lasting, attractive smile and healthy mouth.

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