Dentists’ preferences in implant maintenance and hygiene instruction

• DOI: 10.1111/adj.12831
• Publication Date: 2021-02-05T17:54:18Z
• Authors: MC Cheung; MS Hopcraft; IB Darby
• Keywords: Peri-implantitis; Mucositis; Interdental consonant

Abstract Background This study investigated the preferences of dentists in Australia providing professional implant maintenance and implant‐specific oral hygiene instructions (OHI). Methods General were surveyed online about their peri‐implant diagnostics, provision, armamentarium used, OHI techniques frequency. Results Most 303 respondents (96%) provided services; 87.6% reviewed implants regularly while 10.7% only performed diagnostics after detecting clinical signs/symptoms. Supragingival prosthesis cleaning was by 77.9% respondents, 35.0% subgingival debridement, 41.9% treated mucositis 18.2% peri‐implantitis. About 15% did not treat nor refer disease, including significantly more non‐implant providers without training. Maintenance commonly included floss (76.3%), prophylaxis (73.9%), plastic curettes (43.3%) stainless‐steel ultrasonics (38.0%). Brushing (86.5%), flossing (73.9%) interdental brush use (68.3%) most recommended. Implant repeated routinely 57.4% who it. Dentists with greater training experience likely to perform reviews complex procedures. Conclusions Peri‐implant performed, treatments varied among dentists. those higher levels had preventative approaches OHI. Possible shortcomings disease management reinforcement identified.