How to Care For and Clean Implant-Supported Dentures

Just like your regular teeth, implant-supported dentures must be cleaned daily. All detachable components should be removed. Proceed with cleaning around the components, artificial teeth and gum areas. It is not recommended to sleep with dentures in your mouth. Removing your dentures at night helps to prevent damage, infections and other complications.

It is important to clean your implant-supported dentures in the morning after breakfast and at night following the last time you eat. Cleaning in the evening is especially important because you produce less saliva when you sleep and bacteria is not naturally rinsed away.

It is critical to keep the abutments clean. The abutments are the areas where the denture attaches to the jaw bone. It is helpful to complete the cleaning in good lighting with a large mirror.

The recommended cleaning process includes the following steps:

• Clean both the inner and outer sides of all abutment pillars and the surrounding gums with short horizontal movements.
• Clean the far side of the backmost teeth on both sides with short horizontal movements.
• Clean all spaces with spaces on either side of the abutment pillars and the gaps between the root tips of the denture or bridge with a proxabrush. This brush should fit through the rinsing space with some resistance. Push the brush through the space multiple times at different angles.
• While placing the toothbrush against the gum, make a dragging-rotating motion up to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Focus on small sections throughout the mouth. On the inner side of the front teeth, hold the brush vertically and draw up vertically towards the biting edges of the teeth. Hold the brush horizontally, if possible.
• In the areas where the bridge, denture or bar touch the gum tissue, floss back and forth several times. A threader can be used to place the floss in rinsing spaces.
• Complete the cleaning by rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water.

It is important to follow these instructions closely and find a routine that is manageable and works for you. Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical in caring for your implant-supported dentures and ensuring they last.

Professional Maintenance and Care

Be sure to make regular visits to the dentist. These visits will help ensure your dentures and implants are well maintained and help avoid painful or costly issues. During the regular office visit, the dentist will conduct a thorough examination to check the health of your gums and mouth tissues. The exam will also ensure your dentures fit comfortably. X-rays may occasionally be taken which help your dentist confirm that implants, abutments, and attachments are all positioned correctly. Clips and other attachments can show signs of wear over time and are usually replaced annually or bi-annually.

What You Can Expect from Your Implant-Supported Dentures

With proper care and regular maintenance, your implant-supported dentures can last for years without any issues. Implant-supported dentures are significantly more stable than traditional dentures and don’t slip or loosen while chewing. It is important to be conscious of your diet. Extremely hard and sticky foods can cause damage to the dentures. Visit your dentist regularly and contact the office immediately if there are any issues or if you experience gum irritation. Sore spots caused by dentures and bite problems are usually easy to correct. Your implant-supported dentures should always be comfortable, attractive and functional.

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