Congratulations on your new implant crown! Dental implants are designed to be a long-lasting replacement for missing teeth, restoring both function and appearance. While the implant itself cannot decay, the surrounding gum and adjacent teeth still need daily care for long-term success.

 

What to Expect After Placement

• Some mild gum tenderness or temperature sensitivity is normal and should improve within a few days.

• Your bite may feel slightly different at first. If the crown feels high or uncomfortable when chewing, please call us for a quick adjustment.

 

Caring for Your Implant Crown

Implants require daily cleaning to protect both the implant and the natural teeth around it. Food and plaque can easily collect between the implant crown and its neighbors.

• Brushing: Brush gently at the gumline around the implant twice daily.

• Flossing: Use floss or special tools daily to clean between the implant and natural teeth. Options include:

  • Water flossers (Waterpik®) – highly effective for flushing food from larger spaces.

  • Superfloss or SoftPicks® – designed to clean under and around implant crowns.

• Professional Cleanings: Implants require specialized instruments for safe cleaning. Regular checkups are essential.

 

Long-Term Considerations

• Teeth shift over time, but implants stay in place. As a result, your natural teeth may drift slightly, which can create new food-trapping spaces around your implant.

• We check your implant crown and bite at least once a year to monitor for changes.

• If a contact space opens and food begins to pack in, we may need to adjust or add material to the implant crown to close the space.

 

Holistic Support for Gum & Bone Health 

• Eat a diet rich in whole foods to support gum health and bone stability.

• Stay hydrated and maintain good overall oral hygiene.

• Warm saltwater rinses can help soothe the gum tissue if it feels irritated.

 

When to Call Us

Please contact us if you notice:

• Persistent food trapping that doesn’t improve with cleaning tools

• Gum tenderness, bleeding, or swelling around the implant

• A loose implant crown or changes in your bite

 

We’re Here for You!

• If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call, text, or email us.

• If you have issues after hours, a text will be forwarded directly to Dr. Riley.

• If you call, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call.