Early treatment is crucial to restore the gingivae to a healthy state. During examination, patients with mucositis may show significant subgingival plaque or foreign substances such as implant cement. It is important to check for inflammation by assessing bleeding on probing and using an explorer for subgingival probing, being careful to ensure that no damage is caused to the gingival

The importance of early maintenance and self-care education

Removing the causes of mucositis and providing comprehensive oral hygiene education that enables patients to manage their oral health effectively are key to extending the lifespan of implants. Therefore, implants should be regularly monitored and maintained through early professional intervention, including regular dental visits, supportive periodontal treatment and personalised toothbrushing education.

The key to implant maintenance: Biofilm removal

The core of implant maintenance lies in identifying and removing biofilm, the primary cause of implant-related complications. To do this, it is essential to assess bone loss around the implant and check for inflammation using radiographs. This should include panoramic imaging and periapical imaging using the parallel technique. A thorough evaluation of implant mobility, pain, residual cement and the appearance of calculus is necessary. Such comprehensive examinations are vital to accurately understanding the patient’s oral health status. In cases where peri-implantitis with bone loss is present, appropriate periodontal treatment and antibiotics are required to alleviate inflammation. After this, continuous implant maintenance at custom recall intervals and oral hygiene education are critical.

However, many still rely solely on professional tooth cleaning, which aims to keratinise the gingival epithelium rather than thoroughly remove biofilm. Consequently, even with professional care, residual biofilm may lead to ongoing inflammation.

Enhancing implant maintenance with Guided Biofilm Therapy

To enhance implant maintenance, the application of EMS’s Guided Biofilm Therapy is becoming increasingly common in dental practices. GBT uses the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master device with the AIRFLOW PLUS powder, which has been specifically designed for GBT, is erythritol-based and contains chlorhexidine, offering antimicrobial effects. Its fine particle size allows for minimally invasive biofilm removal from areas that are difficult to reach, such as between implant prostheses and implant threads. When used correctly, it can also be applied subgingivally.

The GBT protocol begins with assessing the patient’s oral condition and risk factors. After evaluating the patient’s health, biofilm is disclosed, allowing both the patient and the clinician to identify well-maintained versus neglected areas. This visual feedback is used to engage in motivational counselling and education to improve oral hygiene. The disclosed biofilm and calculus are then effectively removed using the AIRFLOW and implant-specific scaling tips, and the patient’s next maintenance appointment is scheduled.