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Implant aftercare · Addiscombe, Croydon
Whether the implant is yours or belongs to a parent you help look after, the same few habits keep it healthy. Here is what to do at home, what we do at the practice, and the warning signs worth a phone call.
It is one of the first things families ask us, and the fair answer is that it depends on care rather than a calendar. An implant that is cleaned well and checked regularly can last many years. The crown fitted on top is a separate piece and, just like a crown on a natural tooth, it may need replacing over time as it wears. Think of the implant as the foundation and the crown as the part that does the daily work.
Implant care is not complicated. It is the same good habits you would teach a child, with a little more attention around the implant itself.
Daily cleaning at home, a night guard for anyone who grinds, and regular visits to the practice. Illustration only.
If plaque is left around an implant, the gum can become sore and swollen, just as it can around a natural tooth. If the inflammation spreads to the bone that holds the implant, it is called peri-implantitis. It often starts quietly, which is why regular check-ups matter so much.
On the left, healthy gum sits snugly around the implant. On the right, peri-implantitis: red, swollen gum that bleeds, with bone shrinking away from the implant. Illustration only.
Please call us if you notice bleeding around the implant, swelling, a bad taste, a crown that feels loose or an ache when chewing. Early treatment is usually simpler.
Smoking can slow healing and affect the gum and bone around an implant. Everyone is assessed individually, and we are happy to talk about cutting down.
If gum disease has been an issue before, we may suggest more frequent hygiene visits to keep the area around the implant clean.
Night-time grinding puts heavy pressure on the crown. A custom night guard helps protect it.
Small changes around an implant often go unnoticed at first. Missing appointments means they may be found later than we would like.
Diabetes and some other health conditions can affect healing and gum health. Tell us about any changes to your health or medicines, so we can plan your care around them.
An electric toothbrush with a larger handle, or interdental brushes with long handles, can make cleaning easier.
A simple chart by the bathroom sink, or a reminder at the same time each evening, helps keep the routine going.
If the implants hold a denture, it needs to come out each night so the denture and the attachments can be cleaned.
You are welcome to come along. We can explain the routine to you both and write down the key steps.
Over time, the crown on an implant can chip, wear down or start to look different from teeth that have changed around it. In most cases the crown can be replaced without removing the implant from the bone. If you think your crown needs attention, book a check-up and we will explain the options and give you a written quote before anything is done.
We never promise that, because everyone’s mouth and health are different. What we can say is that with good cleaning and regular check-ups, implants can last many years.
A soft or electric toothbrush and interdental brushes in the right size. Sizes vary from gap to gap, so ask us at your next visit and we will show you.
Not really, other than that it is cleaned like a normal tooth. It can be a good chance to show children why cleaning between the teeth matters.
Implants themselves are very rarely available on the NHS. We will explain how ongoing care for your implant is arranged and what it costs at your appointment.
We can still look after it. Bring any paperwork about the implant system, and we will include it in your check-ups.
Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB, a short walk from Addiscombe tram stop and close to East Croydon station. Patients visit us from Addiscombe, Shirley, South Norwood, Selhurst, Purley, Beckenham and across Surrey.
Related: Dental implants in Croydon · Single tooth implants · Implant-retained dentures · All-on-4 · Crowns · Implant costs
Book an implant consultation (£75) with Dr Anti at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon CR0 7AB, near Addiscombe tram stop. Carers are welcome to come along.
