Hygienists and dentists tell us how to achieve adequate implant maintenance at home. The best solution: keep bacterial plaque under control and carry out proper daily oral hygiene, as well as regular check-ups at the dental office. 

“Patients need to be motivated and made aware of the consequences that inflammation of the peri-implant mucosa may have” 
Dr. Victoria Artime Álvarez (Seville) 

“The most important factor for implant maintenance is motivating patients and making them aware of the consequences that inflammation of the peri-implant mucosa may have. To avoid this inflammation, mechanical and chemical control of bacterial plaque is essential. Plaque must be disrupted by proper toothbrushing along with the use of floss, interproximal brushes as well as oral irrigators. In most cases, I recommend that patients apply chlorhexidine gel to the peri-implant mucosa in order to prevent inflammation in this area. All of this, in addition to dental check-ups, is necessary for correct implant maintenance.” 

“It is important to use an oral irrigator as an oral hygiene supplement.” 
Silvia Toledo (Hygienist) (Valencia) 

“Regular check-ups are very important in order to maintain implants properly, but that is not all that is needed. Maintenance continues at home. After correct toothbrushing and use of the most suitable mouthrinse for each patient, it is important to use, as a supplement to this hygiene regimen, an oral irrigator with mouthrinse diluted with water in equal parts if needed and with a specific tip for each situation, helping to access hard-to-reach areas. It is important to point out that absolute success and the key to optimum implant care is based on keeping them clean and free of bacterial plaque, as well as avoiding certain detrimental habits such as smoking.” 

“Optimum plaque control” 
Dr. Francisco Javier Batlle Arboix (Barcelona) 

“Implants can enormously improve the lives of people who had lost the capability to chew, talk and smile as they once had or had wished possible. Long-term success of implant treatment is strongly associated with optimum plaque control. The frequency of check-ups, from 3 to 6 months, should be established depending on the health conditions of each patient in relation to periodontal and peri-implant tissues. The use of oral irrigators, interdental brushes and dental floss will help efficiently remove plaque.” 

“It is very important to involve patients in a maintenance programme.” 
Dr. Patricia Gutiérrez (Vizcaya) 

“A lasting implant treatment outcome depends on hard and soft peri-implant tissue health and on the appropriate distribution of force on these. Prior to prosthetic restoration, patients need to follow a regular monitoring regimen every 3 months to get xrays and assess the presence or absence of pathological signs. In addition to treatment in the dental office - cleaning implants and prosthetic attachments with plastic or titanium curettes and teflon points for ultrasounds – it is very important to involve patients in a maintenance programme so that they are capable of keeping plaque under control with toothbrushes, interproximal brushes, dental floss or tape and the use of toothpaste and mouthrinses containing the appropriate chemotherapeutic agents.”