Dental implants function like your teeth, and require a daily routine much like that of your natural teeth. There are some differences that are important to understand after you have had your permanent teeth replacement in Albuquerque.
If your teeth surgery for dental implants happened some time ago, you may have noticed your dental hygienist using a different instrument to clean the implants than the instrument used to clean your natural teeth.
Different instruments are used because dental implants attach to the gum and surrounding bone differently than your teeth. Dental implants are also made of a different material than natural teeth.
Your implant is made using three parts: the titanium implant, the tooth-colored crown and the abutment that usually connects the other two parts together. After the implant is placed into the bone through teeth surgery, it fuses with the bone. The fusion stops above the bone, where the abutment makes contact with the gum tissue. Dr. Burton Melton uses a connective tissue made of collagen for support, and to hold the gum tissue against the implant.
Your natural tooth is fixed to a bony socket by a periodontal ligament, composed of tiny fibers that are embedded into the bone on both sides of the tooth root. This ligament transports blood, nutrients and cells that help ward off infection. Implants lack this natural process.
The success and longevity of your implants from teeth surgery depend on healthy gums, just as your natural teeth do. Keeping this in mind, it is very important to practice good oral hygiene, just as you should with natural teeth. Implants get a build-up of bacteria around the crown that needs to be removed daily. If it is not removed an infection called peri-implantitis can develop and cause the dental implant to fail. This type of infection can cause widespread problems. It advances quickly, can cause significant bone loss and trigger tooth loss.
For questions about maintenance of your teeth replacement in Albuquerque, call the office of Dr. Burton Melton today. We are here to help answer any questions you may have.
