Fixed Dentures: How to Clean Them? The advent of implants has allowed many people to realize the dream of having "firm teeth" again and stop worrying about the inconveniences of dentures that slip out of place.
"Protocol" full dentures are fixed and cannot be removed by the patient; only the dentist removes them periodically for maintenance. However, for some individuals, this causes significant discomfort due to the difficulty of cleaning underneath them.
Although implant-supported prostheses are not susceptible to cavities, proper hygiene is important to prevent issues such as bad breath, gum inflammation, or decay in teeth adjacent to the implant. Below, we present various options for maintaining the hygiene of fixed dental prostheses:
Fixed Dentures: How to clean them? The importance of daily cleaning for implant-supported fixed prostheses.
Daily care is crucial to prevent issues such as bad breath and, above all, peri-implantitis. This is an infectious condition occurring around the implant that can lead to implant mobility or, in more severe cases, permanent implant loss. Furthermore, regular visits to the dentist every six months for professional implant maintenance cleaning are essential for preserving oral health and the longevity of the implants.
Patients must pay attention to all surfaces of the prosthesis during their daily hygiene routine, as brushing only the visible areas is insufficient. Dentists recommend accessing and cleaning every area using appropriate tools. A standard toothbrush is effective and sufficient for external surfaces, whereas interdental brushes, oral irrigators (pressurized water jets), and "superfloss" (specialized floss for hard-to-reach areas) are recommended for non-exposed parts, such as those around implants or against the mucosa.
Other reasons:
Highly pigmented foods—such as coffee, wine, carrots, and beets—can stain the acrylic resin that forms the surface of a fixed implant-supported prosthesis. Therefore, it is crucial for patients to consume these foods in moderation and practice oral hygiene immediately afterward. Mouthwashes play an essential role in oral hygiene for those with this type of prosthesis; however, it is necessary to select products that do not damage the prosthetic material, making professional guidance from a dentist indispensable in this regard.
Recent Surgeries
Special attention is required during the healing period in the months immediately following implant surgery, but meticulous care must not be neglected over the years. The durability and functionality of the implant and prosthesis assembly depend on this ongoing care.
How should the daily cleaning of a protocol prosthesis be done?
Cleaning a "protocol" prosthesis requires taking its distinct characteristics into account. These prostheses have three essential areas that need cleaning: the visible outer area (replicating teeth and gums), the region fitted over the implants, and the non-visible areas near the mucosa. Therefore, proper cleaning of the protocol prosthesis must address each of these regions. This link takes you to another page where you can find a kit containing excellent tools for this task. This compact kit includes almost everything you need. Kit with Excellent Tools To perform this task, this small kit includes almost everything you need.
Daily cleaning of the fixed implant-supported prosthesis is essential to ensure the proper removal of food debris that can accumulate between the implant abutments and the prosthesis, as illustrated in the image above. Furthermore, it aims to prevent the formation and accumulation of bacterial plaque on the prosthesis surface.
At home, the patient must follow the implant dentist's instructions, ensuring effective hygiene and using an interdental brush as recommended. Diligent daily cleaning contributes to the preservation of the fixed implant-supported prosthesis and to overall oral health.
Fixed dentures: how to clean them?
1. Brushing: Clean fixed dentures in the same way as natural teeth, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. You need to do this brushing preferably after main meals and also before bed. In the case of fixed dentures, to be able to use dental floss, it is necessary to use other tools that guide the dental floss under the prosthesis and between the pillars that support it. Interdental brushes, floss threaders or even dental floss designed to clean the spaces between the teeth.
2. Specific cleaning products: Several cleaning products specially developed for dentures are available on the market, including sprays, gels and foams. These products help eliminate stains, plaque and other residues from the prosthesis. It is essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines when using these products.
3. Ultrasound: Ultrasonic cleaning is a professional option for cleaning dental prostheses. This procedure involves the use of a device that emits high-frequency sound waves to remove bacterial plaque and other debris from the prosthesis. It is essential to remember that only a qualified professional can perform ultrasonic cleaning.
Fixed Dentures: How to Clean Them? Accessories Can Help with This Task
You can purchase the kit above at the following link: you will be redirected to another pageThis kit includes a tongue scraper, single-tufted toothbrush, interdental brush, and a narrow model from the TePe brand. You can view other combinations here at [link]. our page.
Patients can use specific accessories—such as interdental brushes, floss threaders, Super Floss, or other devices recommended by their oral health professional—which play a crucial role in maintaining the daily cleanliness of the protocol prosthesis.
Some companies, such as TePe or Curaprox, have developed special brush designs that allow for better access to areas beneath full-arch dentures.
Accessories That Facilitate Cleaning of Protocol-Type Prostheses:
Fixed Dentures: How to Clean Them? Water Pressure Cleaners
There are also devices that use pressurized water jets, which are effective for cleaning beneath the prosthesis. The Waterpik is a well-known example of such a device. In the past, these devices could only be found in the US and Europe. In the United States, people buy these devices at pharmacies.
More recently, alternative devices have arrived in Brazil that follow the same concept as the Waterpik—namely, a device powered by a compressor that creates a fine, powerful jet of water capable of reaching beneath a fixed implant-supported prosthesis to remove debris that accumulates daily.
Currently, you can find this equipment on the domestic market, primarily in online stores. It represents an additional option for the advanced cleaning of "protocol-type" prostheses.
The photos above and below show a great example of a pressure booster. This link Floss Tech 360º Contains a more complete product description. Excellent value for money.
To optimize the hygiene of the implant-supported prosthesis, there are several accessories available on the market. One example is the single-tufted brush, whose shape allows for easy access and cleaning of the area in question. This brush is designed to provide effective and specific cleaning for the implant base.
Therefore, in this context, the interdental brush also plays an important role in assisting with the hygiene of the implant base. It is an essential ally for cleaning not only the prosthesis, but also the adjacent natural teeth.
Fixed Dentures: How to Clean Them? Tools to Make Flossing Easier
Finally, another valuable ally is the dental flosser, with one rigid end, similar to a nylon thread, facilitating insertion of the floss into the desired location. The other end has a spongy aspect that expands, promoting a delicate and comprehensive cleaning of the entire area around the implant posts. It is very similar to a floss threader, a plastic needle-shaped piece with a hole for inserting the dental floss. This tool facilitates the passage of floss into challenging spaces, contributing to effective cleaning between the implant posts. In Brazil, the company "Oral-B" manufactures the best-known model.
Fixed Prostheses Constructed with Other Materials
Dentists recommend regular cleaning of prostheses made with modern materials, such as translucent zirconia or porcelain on implants, for all patients, since these materials do not suffer wear and tear or color changes over time. Regular visits to the dentist every six months are essential for those with dental implants as well as those with natural teeth.
ProHeal
Additionally, the dentist recommends applying a long-lasting antiseptic to the "protocol" prosthesis. The commercial name is Proheal; the professional incorporates this antiseptic during follow-up appointments. This product prevents bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on the prosthesis, immediately preventing bad odor and gingival inflammation around the prosthesis.
Nivaldo Pinho, Periodontist, CROSC 9696.