Checkups and Cleanings After Dental Implants

Regular Dental Implant Checkups in Atlanta, GA

Care For Your Implants at Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery

Once you have your new dental implants, it is important to maintain a regular oral hygiene routine. Although dental implants are not susceptible to cavities, it is still vital that you brush, floss, and have your dental implants inspected by our oral surgeons at Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery. With dental implant checkups in Atlanta, GA, you can be confident that your mouth and implants are all in good health. If you do not maintain a regular oral hygiene routine, bacteria and fungi can build up between your new teeth and irritate the gum. This can lead to gum disease and cause further dental problems. There is no need to worry because caring for your new dental implants is as easy as caring for your natural teeth.

What Is Dental Implant Restoration?

Often, patients opt to have dental implant restoration when they are missing a few or all of their teeth. Dental implants are the preferred method of tooth replacement for both our doctors and patients. As opposed to other tooth restoration options, dental implants provide a plethora of oral health benefits. Dental implants provide a prosthetic root and a brand-new tooth that matches the natural tooth. This prosthetic root supports jawbone growth and restores the shape of your face. Other tooth replacement options such as dentures do not provide this bone support, so they do not stop bone loss the way that implants do. With dental implant restoration, you can experience the permanence of beautiful teeth without eating restrictions. Our oral surgeons will expertly place your implants after evaluating the status of your mouth.

How Do I Care for My New Dental Implants?

With Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery dental implants, their aftercare is quite simple and easy. Our doctors can suggest an oral hygiene routine for you. This includes brushing your new teeth at least twice a day and ensuring to brush your gums and tongue as well. Additionally, we suggest that you floss at least once a day. It is important that you continue to care for your new teeth the same way that you care for your natural teeth due to the fact that bacteria and fungi can build up between the teeth and around the gums. You should also make sure that you come to visit our dental implant specialists regularly to have your implants inspected. If you have questions about your dental implants, we are happy to answer them.

Regular Dental Implant Checkups

Whether you have received an individual implant or full arch implants, it is necessary that you have regular implant checkups. These checkups allow our doctors to monitor the status of your implants and their healing progress. The first few months after you receive your implants are the most important to have checkups. Our doctors will examine your implants and your overall oral health to ensure that everything looks and feels the way that it should. After your implants heal, they should feel comfortable and similar to your natural teeth. If you have any concerns, make sure to tell our doctors about them when you come in for your checkups. Once your implants have healed completely, you should only need to visit your general dentist twice a year for routine checkups.

Do I Still Need Regular Cleanings With Dental Implants?

Even if you do not have natural teeth, it is still vital that you receive regular dental cleanings. Dental implants act as replacement teeth, which means that they still need to be cared for in order to protect and prolong your oral health. Regular dental checkups will ensure that your mouth is healthy and that your dental implants look great for the years to come. Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery recommends following routine dental care with implants. Routine dental care includes regular x-rays, checkups, and of course, dental cleanings. Dental hygienists will use special tools that are designed to care for dental implants so that they are not harmed in the cleaning process.

Dental Implant Infection: Knowing the Signs

After receiving dental implants, it is necessary that you monitor your own oral health. One way to do this is by looking out for the signs of infection. If you do notice any signs of infection, you should contact one of our dental implant offices immediately. Leaving infection unaddressed can lead to further problems such as bone loss or even implant loss. Protecting your investment is vital to ensure that they last for as long as possible. Some of the signs of dental implant infection include:

• Red or Swollen Gums — One major warning sign of infection is swelling or redness of your gums. If you notice swollen or red gums, your dental implant may be infected. It is vital that you regularly check your gums in order to identify any signs of infection.
• Chewing Difficulties — Once your implants have healed, you should not have difficulty chewing any types of food. If you notice any discomfort when chewing, it is important that you contact our oral surgeons immediately. Discomfort when chewing is an early sign that an issue may be developing.
• Loose Implants — If your implant is wobbly or loose, it does not necessarily mean that there is an infection present, but it can encourage the development of an infection. When the implant is loose, it creates space for food and bacteria to find their way and lodge themselves into the gums. This puts you at a higher risk of implant infection. See our oral surgeon right away.
• Pain — Pain is a great sign that there is an infection present. When an infection starts, discomfort and pain will follow. It is crucial that you do not wait until the pain becomes unbearable to see one of our doctors.
• Fever — When an infection is present anywhere in your body, it is usually accompanied by a fever. Fevers are the body’s natural response and warning signs of infections. If you have discomfort in your mouth and are running a fever, it is likely that there is an infection in your oral cavity.
• Bleeding Gums — Bleeding gums are a sign of irritation and inflammation of the soft tissue that surrounds the implant. However, bleeding gums do not always indicate an infection. Your gums can bleed when you brush or floss too hard as well. If you are unsure of why your gums are bleeding, contact one of our oral surgeons so that they can inspect your dental implants.

Why Are Dental Checkups and Cleanings Important?

Dental implants are extremely durable, and the materials that are used are not susceptible to tooth decay the way that the natural teeth are. However, it is still very important that you receive regular dental checkups and cleanings with dental implants. Bacteria can build up between your teeth, on your gums, and on your tongue. The buildup of bacteria can lead to infections, gum disease, and other oral issues. Dental implants are designed to last for years and are a long-term solution to tooth loss. In order to protect your investment in dental implants properly, it is vital that you see a dental implant specialist or your general dentist regularly. Our oral surgeons will inspect your implants to make sure that they are healthy and functioning correctly. Regular cleanings and checkups with your general dentist will prevent bone loss and/or implant loss.

Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery Is Here for Your Implant Needs

Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery, we believe that expertly placing and caring for dental implants is the best way to keep your smile beautiful and healthy. With dental implant restoration, you can continue to eat, smile, and talk the way you would with your natural teeth. Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. Not only do they act as your natural teeth would, but they are resistant to cavities, and they encourage healthy bone. Our oral surgeons at Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery strive to provide you with comfort and the best solutions possible. With our expertly skilled team and regular cleanings and checkups from your general dentist, you are protecting your implants and their longevity. Remove this last sentence-We do not to routine cleanings and checkups, those are for our referrals.