Caring For Dental Implants
Syracuse, NY
 If you have gotten dental implants recently, or you are planning to get implants placed, knowing how to care for them is very essential. Caring for dental implants is relatively easy. Proper care ensures longevity, continuous smile confidence, and also keeps your natural teeth and oral hygiene in a good state. At Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS, our professionals provide the following steps for our patients to use, when they get dental implants to restore their missing teeth.
What Makes A Complete Implant?
A complete dental implant usually consists of three parts. The first part is the implant post. The posts are made from titanium which is a biocompatible material. It is surgically placed into the jawbone, and allowed to bond as the jawbone grows around it, fusing it firmly in place. Following the placement of the titanium post, is the abutment. This part is fused to the implant post, and it is meant to hold the crown securely to the implant. Finally, the crown is placed on the abutment and the whole tooth restoration is complete. Once all of these parts are placed, the dental implant looks like a natural tooth, from the crown down to the tooth root.
After The Procedure
Following the implant placement procedure, you will be advised to stay away from hard foods. Meals that require chewing with your teeth can disrupt the healing process, and risk dislodging the implant. Although, after a couple of weeks, you should be able to return to your regular diet as recommended by our professionals.
Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth
Since dental implants present like your natural teeth, cleaning them is as easy as cleaning your natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing that is done the right way will ensure that plaque will not build up on and around your implant tooth. While the artificial crown may not suffer decay, buildup of bacteria around the gums may raise other oral issues. Carefully brush every side of the implant, paying close attention to the sides and corners.
Avoid Harmful Habits
Dental implants are resilient and long-lasting, but these attributes can be short lived when a patient indulges in certain habits. Just like your natural teeth, you may risk the durability of your implant crown when you continuously chew on hard items such as fingernails, ice, or pens.
Clenching or grinding the teeth, or even trying to open hard items with your teeth can cause chips or cracks on them. Patients who cannot control their teeth grinding, especially at night, are advised to get nightguards. Our professionals will provide you with custom fit guards to help keep your teeth and dental implants safe.
Keep Scheduled Dental Appointments
After your implants have healed, you will be advised to keep up regular checks with our professionals. These checks help us perform deep dental cleanings and routine exams for your teeth. We will also examine to see if you have any issues with your implant or your overall dental health. Our professionals will also provide you with the best practices and dental supplies for your oral health. To learn more about dental implants and caring for them, schedule an appointment with Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS, by calling us at (315) 800-5020 today.
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