You may need help getting routine implant care if you received dental implants during pandemic years. Fortunately, you can still care for your dental implants amid a pandemic. You only need to follow certain hygienic practices. At dental clinics in Orange County, particularly Aria Dental, Telephone support is also available for all patients, and appointments will be made as needed. Here is everything you need to know.
How to Maintain Dental Implants During Pandemic
For long-lasting dental implants, it is essential to maintain them. This will prevent common infections, such as peri-implant diseases, from developing. Peri-implant conditions are similar to gingivitis, created due to plaque buildup. They can eventually lead to bone loss around the implants or natural surrounding teeth. Here are some of the recommended home care for dental implants:
Clean and Brush Properly
The best methods to maintain dental implants in pandemic are cleaning and brushing. Clean twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure to brush under and around the crown on your placement. You can soak your toothbrush in hot water to make the bristles even softer before brushing. Some dentists also recommend antiseptic mouthwashes to help keep implants clean.
Consider an Emergency Appointment
Daily oral hygiene habits are critical when fewer people can visit their dentists. However, if you have any problems, please notify your oral care specialist to determine if an emergency appointment is required. Dentist offices have implemented strict sanitation guidelines on covid-19 precautions for patients and staff to keep everybody safe.
When Do You Need an Emergency Appointment?
If you notice any unusual pain or discomfort in your mouth, consider scheduling an appointment with your oral care professional. There are specific symptoms to look out for that may point to short-term or chronic infection due to peri-implant disease. Here are some of the signs that you may be able to identify yourself:
- Gum redness or soreness (could indicate plaque buildup).
- Difficulty chewing due to inflammation or loosening of dental bridge or crown.
- Swelling around the implant, gums, mouth, neck, or eye.
What If You Get a Loose Implant?
If you get a loose crown, bridge, or implant screw, you should immediately contact an oral care specialist. This will require direct attention. Minimize your risk of dental implant issues by avoiding chewing on sticky sweets, hard nuts, and ice. These foods can damage your dental implant and result in expensive repairs.
How to Choose Your Dentist for Dental Implants During Pandemic?
If you want an appointment for dental implants in Mission Viejo or Orange County, there are things that denture clinics should consider during the pandemic. At you can Aria Dental, you can expect all of these:
Health Screening
We run through a checklist of COVID-19 symptoms to ensure that individuals are not a risk to other patients or staff. Most dental clinics will take your temperature upon entrance. If you have one or more symptoms of the virus, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment.
Masks
Our staff will be required to wear a mask at all times. Patients must arrive wearing a mask and only remove them when instructed by an oral care professional.
PPE
Along with wearing a mask, our staff will have other personal protective equipment, including face shields, coats, gloves, medical-grade masks, and aerosol-controlling equipment to ensure the safety of everyone coming in and out of the office.
Rubber Dams
As holistic and biological dentists in Mission Viejo and Orange County, we always have utilized rubber dams to isolate parts of the mouth for a procedure. This reduces the patient’s exposure to the air particles in the room. Aerosol-mitigation devices may also be utilized to minimize risk. This will not be necessary for every procedure or in every dental clinic. However, it is an available resource.
Social Distancing
According to government regulations, dentist offices in Orange County will enforce a rule of six feet apart between patients. Smaller offices may only accept a few patients in the waiting room at a time, asking others to wait in their car until called for their appointment.
Cleaning
In addition to standard protocols, our staff will increase sterilization methods for appointments, waiting rooms, and bathrooms. Pens, card readers, touch-screen devices, and other high-touch surfaces will be disinfected regularly.
Complying with the Program
Although we have always practiced the toughest infection control beyond OSHA requirements, we have developed a Respiratory Protection Program. We will comply with the Cal/OSHA requirements under its Airborne Transmissible Diseases (ATD) standards.
Reduced Traffic
Patient appointments will be staggered throughout the day to allow for proper social distancing, and staff will be limited to only the necessary few. Adult patients are asked to arrive alone; one adult can accompany minors.
HEPA Air Purifier
We have implemented a HEPA air purifier in each room to reduce the dangers of aerosols, pathogens, and mercury vapor in our dental.
Isolite® Isolation System
Aria Dental has implemented Isolite, which will significantly reduce aerosol and Droplet Spatter by strongly suctioning aerosols directly from patients’ mouths before spreading them into the air.
Last Note
This article explained how you can maintain dental implants during pandemic years. We are thrilled to announce that all of the safety measures mandated by the state and best health practices from the ADA and CDC were already implemented in our approach, and we will continue to practice them strictly. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us today.
