Implant-prosthetic patient: hygienic maintenance and occlusal control

OBJECTIVES. Several studies demonstrate that the implant success is closely related both to the control of the oral hygiene and to the maintenance of appropriate occlusal loadings. This work shows a pro OBJECTIVES. Several studies demonstrate that the implant success is closely related both to the control of the oral hygiene and to the maintenance of appropriate occlusal loadings. This work shows a protocol of implant maintenance that may prevent pathologies caused by the buildup of dental plaque in the pen-implant space and by the occlusal overload of the.fixture. MATERIALS AND MET HODS. This protocol offers a series of procedures apt to the preservation of the implant with the related accomplishment time. These procedures consist of: a correct clinical exam of peri-implant soft tissues, an appropriate radiographic exam to evaluate the pen-implant bone, a rigorous occlu-sal control and a meticulous oral hygiene, both domestic and professional, inevitably resulting from a necessary motivation and the instruction of the patient. RESULTS. The experience accrued through many years of clinical practice, supported by the scientific evidence, permitted to verify the efficacy of the protocol of implant maintenance as shown in this work. CONCLUSIONS. The success of an implant-prosthetic treatment is achieved by a careful rigorous oral hygiene, on behalf of the patient and the clinician, as well as by an adequate control of the occlusion. Thus it is possible to avoid bacterial complications and occlusal overloads, which, if not promptly ascertained, may cause the failure of the whole implant-prosthetic therapy.