I'm not sure what has kept me away for so long but I'm ready to mingle again! A couple years ago (yeah I'm a little slow) I thought it would be great to have a blog specifically dedicated to dental hygiene. I've come across so many questions and ideas that I've wanted to share especially with those from WSU....so here it goes! With each post I want all of you to hit me with all your experiences, opinions and ideas and don't leave ANYTHING out!!! :]
First up...Implant Instrumentation:
Has anyone used the ultrasonic tip that is safe for titanium implants? If so, is it effective and/or worth the investment to buy it? One of the offices I work for just ordered three new titanium instruments that PDT was offering at UDA, we just received them so I haven't had the chance to try them out yet, but I'm thinking that anything is better than the large plastic tipped instrument that basically does NOTHING most of the time.
Also, I've had several patients present with 6mm pockets around their implants, is that normal as long as the tissue is pink and firm and there is no exudate?
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I reeeeeally wanted an implant safe ultrasonic tip!! I never got to use one, but you're right about the plastic tip intruments. They do NOTHING!! Not sure about the 6mm pocket around the implant. I'm thinking the firm tissue is a great indicator that things are ok.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Melissa. I hate the plastic tips and I can never get anything done with them. I would love to try the ultrasonic tip. That would be fabulous.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the pocket thing, I've had that experience. Ideally I would like the pocket to shrink, but if it's a good color and not bleeding, I'm happy. It also depends how far post-op they are. Sometimes it can take a while for the pocket to really tighten up. You also want to make sure there's no mobility. The bone strength is paramount.
Keep blogging! I love it! Can't wait for you to start a personal blog :)
An oral surgeon/periodontist from St George told us in a CE he was giving that he did not want us RDH probing or mucking about around his implants. I was shocked. I figured he wanted us to keep the area clean etc. But after using the plastic instruments I realized I was not doing any good so why not leave it alone? But I cannot. I have to probe it and make sure it is alright. I try to be gentle I try to clean the best I can but it is really hard. I have tons in patients with implants. Only one has a 7mm pocket. All the rest are 4mm or less. This 7mm patient has the dr worried. He reduced the occlusion during their last cleaning. He said if the bite is too hard it will cause pocketing and failure. So I do not know the answer. Keeping it clean and the bone as healthy as possible is all I can think of.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for this blog ;)
I have used an implant safe ultra sonic tip and I love it. It is a little fat and takes some maneuvering to get around the implant but is definitely worth the cost. And the 6mm pockets can be normal. usually there is like a 4-5 mm pocket around implants. I remember that from an implant class I went to. It won't be like a normal tooth to tissue ratio because its not tooth. some pt also have slight allergic reactions that cause the tissue to look red and bleed but that is normal too. but other patients have great looking implants and tissues. i just try to base it on the individual and how the rest of their tissues especially around crowns look.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing from all of you, thanks so much for your comments and information! I think I'll work on getting that ultrasonic tip, sounds wonderful. Also, as soon as I use them, I'll be sure to let you know how the titanium instruments are from PDT.
ReplyDeleteTitanium instruments from PDT...Awesome. They seem to allow more access and adaptation to the tooth's surface, more so than the plastic tip instrument. Still have not tried the ultrasonic tip...
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