Periodic maintenance care involving removal of the superstructure leading to long-term maintenance of the implant

Abstract

The absence of peri-implantitis is essential for the successful long-term maintenance of implant prostheses. Therefore, periodic maintenance care after implant treatment is important, and it should focus on prevention and early detection of peri-implant mucositis. As patients age, the quality of self-care declines. Capitalizing on the advantages of implant prosthesis, it is effective to remove the superstructure and provide professional care. In this paper presented are specific procedures, including examination before removal of the superstructure, inspection of self-care and cleaning after removal, cleaning and polishing of the superstructure, and cleaning of the remaining teeth. A case of a 77-year-old woman who was fitted with an implant superstructure more than 22 years ago. A case study suggests the effectiveness of removing the superstructure and performing thorough plaque control during maintenance.