Thread Lightly: Assessment, Maintenance, and Homecare of Dental Implants

Implants cannot be placed, restored, and forgotten. They are not the panacea for missing teeth they were once marketed as. Patients must understand their role in implant maintenance and what local, systemic, and environmental risk factors predispose them to complications from the start. Providing patients with a comprehensive roadmap of their implant treatment will result in lasting esthetic and functional outcomes free of surprises and limited in complications. Specialized hand and power instruments, powders, and accessories coupled with proper oral hygiene can better preserve a variety of implant restorations in a gentle yet effective way. This is especially true in cases of periodontal breakdown, where gingival recession, a lack of keratinized mucosa, and/or exposed implant threads complicate maintenance. Implementing these best-evidence protocols will improve the patient experience and revamp your dental hygiene practice.