CARING FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS
Caring for your FIXED HYBRID IMPLANT DENTURE
After making the large investment to replace your teeth with hybrid implant dentures, it is critical to care for them properly and make sure that they stand the test of time. If the space between the hybrid implant denture and your gums is not cleaned properly, you can develop bone loss similar to the bone loss that can occur with natural teeth with periodontal disease. Please follow the instructions below to make sure that your implants stay clean and healthy to ensure the longevity of your new hybrid denture. There is also a video below which gives a visual demonstration of proper cleaning techniques. Some of the products in the video differ slightly than those listed below, but the overall technique is the same.
- Brush your teeth with a SOFT toothbrush. Particularly if your hybrid denture is made of acrylic, it is critical that you do not use a medium or hard toothbrush. You may put scratches in the acrylic and damage it.
- Use a NON-ABRASIVE toothpaste such as SENSODYNE PRONAMEL. This also ensures that you do not scratch the surface of your hybrid dentures.
- Use rubber tip stimulators or Superfloss to go in between the hybrid denture and your gums to loosen up food particles and plaque.
- Use a water flosser on the LOW setting to rinse under the denture and remove the remaining food particles. DO NOT USE HIGH POWER AS IT CAN BE TOO HARSH ON THE GUM TISSUE AROUND THE IMPLANTS.
- Rinse with a Peroxide rinse such as Peroxyl by Colgate. DO NOT USE A HARSH ALCOHOL RINSE LIKE LISTERINE TO RINSE UNDER THE HYBRID DENTURE.
- It is also critical to visit the dentist at least on a yearly basis for exams and cleanings. This is important to make sure that there are no issues with your hybrid dentures that may lead to bigger problems. The frequency of these visits depends on whether your hybrid denture is made of acrylic or zirconia. Of course if your hybrid denture opposes natural teeth, you should continue to see your dentist every six months for cleanings and exams.
- WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE RIGHT FOR A VISUAL DEMONSTRATION. KEEP IN MIND THAT SOME OF THE PRODUCTS LISTED ABOVE MAY DIFFER FROM THE VIDEO.
