- 223 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8XH
- 020 7928 5844
- 223 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8XH
Implant aftercare · Waterloo, SE1
A dental implant can last many years with good care. This guide explains the simple daily habits, the check-ups and the risk factors that make the difference, and how to fit it all around a busy working week.
There is no fixed expiry date on a dental implant. The titanium post sits in your jawbone and, with good care, it can last many years. What matters most is what happens after it is fitted: how well the gum and bone around it are looked after, whether you grind your teeth, and whether small problems are picked up early at your check-ups. The crown on top is a little different. Like any crown, it takes the wear of everyday eating, so it may need replacing over time even when the implant underneath is still sound.
Caring for an implant is very similar to caring for your own teeth, with a bit of extra attention to the gum line around it. Here is the routine we suggest to most patients.
A simple routine: daily cleaning at home, a night guard if you grind, and regular visits so we can keep an eye on the implant. Illustration only.
Two minutes with a soft or electric toothbrush, angled towards the gum line around the implant crown. Keep a small interdental brush by the sink so cleaning between teeth becomes part of the habit.
A travel interdental brush fits in a pocket or laptop bag. If you have lunch at your desk, a quick clean afterwards helps stop food collecting around the implant.
This is the clean that matters most. Brush, then use your interdental brush, floss or water flosser around the implant. If you have been given a night guard, put it in.
Book your next check-up or hygiene visit before you leave the practice. Early or late slots in the working day are easier to protect when they are already in your calendar.
The gum around an implant should look and feel much like healthy gum around a natural tooth: pink, firm and not bleeding when you clean. If plaque is left to build up, the gum can become inflamed. When that inflammation spreads and the bone around the implant starts to shrink, it is called peri-implantitis. Caught early, it can often be treated; left alone, it can put the implant at risk.
Left: a healthy, snug seal of gum around the implant. Right: red, swollen gum and bone loss around the implant, known as peri-implantitis. Illustration only.
Signs to mention to us: bleeding when you brush around the implant, puffy or red gum, a bad taste, the crown feeling loose, or discomfort when you bite. Call us rather than waiting for your next check-up.
Smoking can affect healing and the health of the gum and bone around an implant. We assess this individually and can talk through support to cut down or stop.
If you have had gum disease around your natural teeth, the gum around an implant needs extra attention. We will tailor your hygiene visits to suit.
Heavy forces at night can chip a crown or loosen components. A custom night guard spreads the load and protects your investment.
Problems around an implant are often silent at first. Regular visits mean we can spot early changes, sometimes on an X-ray, before you notice anything.
General health matters too. Conditions such as diabetes can affect healing and gum health, so let us know about any changes to your health or medication.
Possibly, yes. The implant itself sits below the gum and is not exposed to everyday wear in the same way. The crown on top, however, is used every time you bite and chew, so over time it may chip, wear or no longer match neighbouring teeth that have changed. The good news is that a crown on an implant can usually be replaced without disturbing the implant in the bone. If that day comes, we will explain what is involved and give you a written quote first.
Read more about dental implants, single implants and implant costs.
| Your part | Our part |
|---|---|
| Brush twice a day, including the gum line around the implant | Show you the right brushes and technique for your implant |
| Clean between your teeth every day | Hygiene visits to remove build-up you cannot reach at home |
| Wear your night guard if you grind | Check the crown, the bite and the gum at each check-up |
| Tell us early about bleeding or looseness | Use our on-site CBCT scanner when a closer look at the bone is needed |
With good daily cleaning and regular check-ups, a dental implant can last many years. Every mouth is different, so we cannot promise a set number of years, but the habits on this page give it the strongest footing.
No. A normal fluoride toothpaste is fine for your natural teeth. Avoid very abrasive whitening pastes, which can scratch some crown materials over time.
For some people it works well, especially around bridges. Others need interdental brushes as well. We will check what reaches the gaps around your implant and suggest what suits you.
The implant and crown cannot decay, but the gum and bone around them can still become inflamed if plaque builds up. That is why cleaning around an implant matters just as much as cleaning natural teeth.
Yes. Bring any details you have about the implant system. We can examine it, take X-rays or a scan if needed, and include it in your routine check-ups.
Related: Dental implants · Single implants · Implant bridges · All-on-4 · Implant costs · All fees
Book an implant consultation (£75) or an implant check-up with Dr Anti at 223 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8XH, a short walk from Waterloo station.