MISCONCEPTION – If a tooth is artificial, it will last forever without worry.
FACT – Monitoring of Dental implants is mandatory so that no problem in relation to implants/crown/ hard or soft tissue may arrive in future.
The initial first year after implant placement is the period where there are maximum chances that Implant complications and failures can occur. Dental implant procedure do require an appropriate follow up whose general purpose is to make sure that the implants are positioned and performing as they should be along with the complete recovery of patient.
WHY FOLLOW – UP AFTER IMPLANT PLACEMENT IS MANDATORY???
After the patient has been restored with the final restoration, monitoring and maintenance is required to ensure long-term success. Minor implant complications can be prevented from becoming serious or irreversible through careful monitoring and early intervention. As it is rightly said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
FOLLOW UP PROTOCOL AFTER IMPLANT PLACEMENT
1 WEEK –
- Suture Removal
- Healing Assessment – hard tissue / soft tissue
- Post Surgical Instructions
- Dental Implant stability
6 WEEKS –
- Oral Hygiene maintenance reviewed
- Soft tissue healing
- Implant Stability
3 MONTHS –
- Radiographic Evaluation of Bone level
- Oral hygiene is evaluated
- Check for any periapical radiolucency, any radiolucency around the implant.
- Oral hygiene instruction is given if needed.
6 MONTHS –
- To confirm successful osseointegration of the dental implants after an adequate healing period.
- Clinical assessment of the dental implants and the surrounding tissues. palpation, percussion, and radio-frequency analysis
- Radiographic evaluation to confirm healthy peri-implant bone.
- At this stage, Successful completion of this assessment enables progression to the prosthetic phase of treatment.
1 YEAR-
- Verifying proper function, comfort and patient satisfaction
- Assessment of Gingival Health
- Occlusion, Phonetics, aesthetics re – assessed.
- Stability of peri-implant bone and integrity of all abutment connections checked
APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULED YEARLY FOR NEXT THREE YEARS
- Recall visits and oral hygiene assessment
- Assessment of the peri-implant soft and hard tissues should be assessed
continued stability of the dental implants and prosthesis - Occlusion, Phonetics, aesthetics re – assessed.
FACTORS TO BE EVALUATED
- Plaque or Calculus deposition around implant
- Bleeding on probing
- Inflammation of Peri-implant tissue / soft tissue margins
- Radiographic evaluation of the implant and surrounding bone
- Presence of any sign of infection or suppuration
- Crown and/or prostheses
- Any sort of mobility in operated area
- Normal occlusion
- Evaluation for any sign of traumatic occlusion
- Adequacy of the follow-up frequency
Getting adequate follow-up care for dental implants is essential for maintaining the stability and durability of implant and prosthesis. One should be following all the instructions given by the rerspective dentist for professional care geared towards the well-being of dental implant.
