What is the Importance of Excellent Home Care and Routine Dental Appointments?

Periodontal disease is the result of bacterial gum infections caused mainly by plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on all surfaces of your mouth. When plaque is not regularly removed it calcifies into a hard substance called calculus (tartar). Unless removed, these toxins may destroy healthy gums and bone levels. The toxins found in plaque increase your risk for periodontal diseases and implant failure.

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OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

Our goal is to provide the very best possible dental care for our patients so each of them may achieve optimum dental health throughout their lifetime. Your mouth, being the center of expression, nutrition, communication and appearance, deserves the greatest care and technical excellence we can provide. Our entire staff operates as a team and we take great pride in each staff member’s training and capabilities.

Success
is up to You!

Protect Your Investment and Your Smile.

Munib Y. Derhalli, DMD, MS, MBA
300 SE 120th Avenue, Suite 500
Vancouver, WA 98683
(360) 254-8151
www.periodontalconcepts.net

A HOME CARE GUIDE FOR YOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS

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Regular dental cleanings minimize future bone loss and increase long term success of dental implants.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP—HOME CARE

Although dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, there are differences that may affect your home care routine. Your dental health care provider will review the proper techniques with you. Improper daily home care will have an adverse effect on the health of your mouth and can cause an implant to fail. Please, ask about hygiene tools and techniques best for your specific needs. It may be helpful to see and experience a demonstration.

This radiograph represents healthy bone levels.

Bone loss may cause implants to become loose and fail.

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The tissue attachment around dental implants is different than your natural teeth. You should adjust your cleaning techniques to thoroughly remove all plaque on the implant abutment and crown surfaces.

If you experience swelling, looseness of the crown, redness or discomfort around your dental implants, please contact your surgeon or restorative dentist immediately.

PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE

Please follow the recommendations of your restorative dentist regarding professional maintenance and check-ups. It may be recommended you have an examination and cleaning once every four months. Protect the investment in your smile by following these guidelines.
Our surgeons would also like to see you annually to check the health and stability of your dental implants. Our office may elect to take necessary X-rays and periimplant measurements at this time.

Your implants should improve the look and function of your mouth for many years.

You may want to consider using a sonic toothbrush to effectively remove plaque and protect the overall health of your smile.

HELPFUL TOOLS
Soft Toothbrush
Dental Floss
Proxabrush
End Tufted Toothbrush
Super Floss
Floss Threaders
Rubber Tip Stimulator
Sulcabrush

HOME CARE STEPS TO SUCCESS

Plaque must be removed from exposed surfaces of your natural teeth, prostheses and the top of the tongue after each meal using a soft toothbrush or sonic toothbrush.
Each day, preferably before bedtime, you should use dental floss, small brushes and other hygiene tools to assist you in cleaning the surfaces between and around each tooth or prostheses.
Remove dentures, then brush all denture surfaces and rinse thoroughly.
It is important to leave removable prostheses out while you sleep so tissues can relax and gums can remain healthy.
Only use soft bristled brushes and non-abrasive toothpastes. Sharp instruments may scratch the implant abutment and provide a pathway for harmful bacteria to breed infection.

Just like natural teeth, implant abutments and crowns need to be kept clean by practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling regular cleanings. This is the best way to ensure the long term success of your dental implants.