Dental Implants Basics and Maintenance

Once considered an elective for the privileged few, dental implants are now provided as a routine dental service. Long-term success for these patients is dependent on a collaborative effort with the dentist and dental hygienist, however, there is limited formal education about dental implant maintenance in the current US dental hygiene curriculum. Even if a practice does not routinely place or restore dental implants, team members need to have basic knowledge of treatment options, components, and patient care protocols. With changing classifications about treatment considerations for peri-implant disease and advancements in technology it is not uncommon for dental hygienists to express uncertainty about patient care. The instructor will review the history of osseointegration, the evolution of treatment workflows for dental implant therapy, along with decision-making factors leading to maintenance protocols for implant cases ranging from a single tooth to full arch screw-retained restorations.