Dental Implant Cleaning and Sterilization
Dental implants are among some of the most popular, durable, and attractive tooth replacement options available today. Used for over sixty years, they are also time-tested; titanium implants, which have been used and studied since the 1960s, have been demonstrated time and again to last for decades, providing a solution for missing teeth that is free from constant repairs and replacement.
Given the stringent cleaning and sterilization procedures that are utilized by dentists and oral surgeons working with dental implants, they are also very safe. Before they ever come into contact with your or your mouth, they have been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized using the highest of medical cleaning standards.
Why is Cleaning and Sterilization Important?
The cleaning and sterilization of dental implants is incredibly important because these parts are not only present in your mouth, but parts of them are actually embedded into the hard tissues of your jaw. Any product that comes into contact with your body in a medical setting should be adequately cleaned before being used, but special care must be taken with any product that is installed inside of your body as this can introduce germs and bacteria that can create serious problems to your internal systems.
How Are Dental Implants Cleaned and Sterilized?
Typically composed of three separate parts, dental implants are also cleaned and sterilized as such. First, each part is individually cleaned under running water; brushes are used to mechanically remove any detritus that may be presented.
Second, each piece is submerged in a special cleaning solution that is designed for the cleaning of these kinds of products. They must be free from any acids, lye, or solvents, and must also not contain oxidizing or other agents that could potentially damage the integrity of the metal alloy.
Third, each piece is disinfected by being soaked in a medical-grade disinfectant, rinsed thoroughly, air-dried, and packaged immediately. This package must allow for sterilization via steam, allowing for the integrity of the packaging and the product to be maintained.
Fourth, and finally, each piece is then sterilized in a device such as an autoclave. This is a device that sterilizes anything inside of it, killing bacteria, viruses, spores, or fungi via steam heat. These are typically available both at dental laboratories and in dental offices, as they are commonly used to sterilize instruments used on a daily basis by your dentist and dental hygienist.
What Else Do I Need to Know About Dental Implant Cleaning and Sterilization?
The most important thing for you to know is that proper cleaning and sterilization is taking place. This is a routine part of dental practice, and something that your dentist and/or oral surgeon is very knowledgeable about. For your own ease of mind, it may be helpful to ask what kinds of cleaning and sterilization practices are used your dentist or oral surgeon’s office; they should be able to answer basic questions about the steps taken to safeguard your health and safety in terms of cleaning and sterilization practices.