Journal Review: Dental Implants
After reviewing the article “Instrumenting the DENTAL IMPLANT” by Dianne L. Sefo, RDH, BA, I learned that dental implants have become a popular alternative to replace natural teeth. Dental hygienists need to know the best way to care for the dental implant, to help maintain its success.
“Maintaining dental implants is similar to providing dental hygiene care for natural teeth.” (Sefo, D. 2009). Periodontal disease around an implant cause the destruction of the supporting tissues just like it would with natural teeth. A bacterial infection that affects only the soft tissues is known as mucocitis, whereas an infection that affects the level of bone is called periimplantitis. Proper dental hygiene therapy is necessary to reduce the possibility of these diseases and implant failure.
The post of the dental implant is made of titanium and can be scratched when a traditional metal scaler or ultrasonic scaler is used. These scratches provide reservoirs for bacteria that in turn destroy the periodontium. Plastic scalers the instruments of choice that are used to avoid scratches but increase hand fatigue for the clinician. Ultrasonic scalers are also available with plastic tips and are a wonderful alternative for reducing plaque and calculus without causing fatigue on the clinician or damage to the metal surface of the dental implant.
An ultrasonic implant insert should be used the same way a metal ultrasonic scaler is used; with the side of the tip, making horizontal, vertical or oblique strokes while set to a low power.
By introducing the ultrasonic implant insert to the list of tools available for dental hygiene care, time needed is reduced and the standard of care is increased. Dental implants are a growing field in dentistry and need to be cared for so that patient is satisfied with their implant and can uphold good oral health. The best way to do so is to educate the dental hygienist on how to provide the best possible treatment.
Personal Reflection:
I chose to review an article about dental implants because as mentioned earlier, dental implants are becoming a very popular method to treatment. As a dental hygienist I would benefit from knowing how to properly treat an implant and what can and can not be done to help improve the periodontium surrounding it. I was taught earlier about the use of plastic scalers but we have yet to learn about ultrasonic implant inserts. By being able to use an untrasonic on an implant, we will be able to decrease hang fatigue and time the patient has to spend in the chair. If the tissues surrounding the implant are healthy, the implant will be successful.
Additional Sources:
Watch this video to learn more about dental implants
Learn more about inflammation and infections associated with implants
References:
Sefo, Dianne L., RDH, BA. (2009). Instrumenting the DENTAL IMPLANT. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, 7(4), 32-33.
http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/2009/04_April/Features/Instrumenting_the_Dental_Implant.aspx
*Pictures from Google Images
“Maintaining dental implants is similar to providing dental hygiene care for natural teeth.” (Sefo, D. 2009). Periodontal disease around an implant cause the destruction of the supporting tissues just like it would with natural teeth. A bacterial infection that affects only the soft tissues is known as mucocitis, whereas an infection that affects the level of bone is called periimplantitis. Proper dental hygiene therapy is necessary to reduce the possibility of these diseases and implant failure.
The post of the dental implant is made of titanium and can be scratched when a traditional metal scaler or ultrasonic scaler is used. These scratches provide reservoirs for bacteria that in turn destroy the periodontium. Plastic scalers the instruments of choice that are used to avoid scratches but increase hand fatigue for the clinician. Ultrasonic scalers are also available with plastic tips and are a wonderful alternative for reducing plaque and calculus without causing fatigue on the clinician or damage to the metal surface of the dental implant.
An ultrasonic implant insert should be used the same way a metal ultrasonic scaler is used; with the side of the tip, making horizontal, vertical or oblique strokes while set to a low power.
By introducing the ultrasonic implant insert to the list of tools available for dental hygiene care, time needed is reduced and the standard of care is increased. Dental implants are a growing field in dentistry and need to be cared for so that patient is satisfied with their implant and can uphold good oral health. The best way to do so is to educate the dental hygienist on how to provide the best possible treatment.
Personal Reflection:
I chose to review an article about dental implants because as mentioned earlier, dental implants are becoming a very popular method to treatment. As a dental hygienist I would benefit from knowing how to properly treat an implant and what can and can not be done to help improve the periodontium surrounding it. I was taught earlier about the use of plastic scalers but we have yet to learn about ultrasonic implant inserts. By being able to use an untrasonic on an implant, we will be able to decrease hang fatigue and time the patient has to spend in the chair. If the tissues surrounding the implant are healthy, the implant will be successful.
Additional Sources:
Watch this video to learn more about dental implants
Learn more about inflammation and infections associated with implants
References:
Sefo, Dianne L., RDH, BA. (2009). Instrumenting the DENTAL IMPLANT. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, 7(4), 32-33.
http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/2009/04_April/Features/Instrumenting_the_Dental_Implant.aspx
*Pictures from Google Images