044-045_SD_Implant_ENGLISCH_qu5
23.08.2007
14:01 Uhr
Seite 44
FROM DENTIST TO DENTIST
Implant care with ”natural” means Hans Sellmann
Today, implants are part and parcel of our day-to-day work as dentists. Even in situations where it used to seem impossible, for local or systemic reasons, patients can now have full masticatory function restored by means of titanium or ceramic implants. However, implants also require ongoing care. With this in mind, the implant care gel ”durimplant” was launched a few months ago. It is intended for use in the prevention of peri-implant inflammation and the care of gingivae and oral mucosa.
R
ecently, we used the gel from ”lege artis”, the dental company based in Dettenhausen, Germany, in the treatment of a patient who had received a liver transplant several years before and who also suffered from bruxism. My oral surgeon placed three individual implants in the 44, 45 and 46 region (lower right premolars and first molar), which were restored with cement-retained, splinted crowns.
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The entire procedure was free of complications in spite of the complex case history. The after-care was equally uncomplicated, as implants must not be ”left alone”. What do you do in such a case? Of course, there must be regular recalls with (very careful) evaluation of periimplant pocket depth, possibly radiographic assessment and professional implant cleaning. In this
particular case, medication-related immunodeficiency meant that the implants and surrounding gingiva required special care. Another patient, aged 84, had worn a complete lower denture for more than 20 years. I was eventually able to convince her to have two intraforaminal implants. In view of the patient's fears and the cost of the treatment, it was a matter of great interest to know what one can do to ensure the long-term success of the implants. I am now able to provide my patients with an extra means of caring for their implants: durimplant is ideal for implant care and for prophylaxis against mucositis or even peri-implantitis. Implant loss, when it occurs, is attributable, in the vast majority of cases, to inflammation caused by bacterial contamination, i.e. a biofilm around the implant or the implant/gingiva emergence point. PLAQUENCARE 2/2007
044-045_SD_Implant_ENGLISCH_qu5
23.08.2007
14:01 Uhr
Seite 45
FROM DENTIST TO DENTIST
Increasingly, implants are being placed in elderly patients. We are all familiar with the sort of problems they face. With advancing years, their eyesight becomes significantly weaker and their hand-eye coordination also declines considerably. So it is hardly surprising that they are not able to maintain optimal oral hygiene, as is required to avoid bacterial inflammation. Of course, we cannot recall our elderly patients every few days to carry out professional cleaning – but we can provide them with a product to use at home, which gently, but very effectively, prevents such inflammation. The implant care gel contains important natural substances such as sage, peppermint and thyme, but also chlorhexidine. Applying a small amount around the implant with a fine instrument in the dental practice, then fitting the superstructure (overdenture) or applying durimplant with a soft brush in the case of screw-retained or cementretained restorations, reliably prevents mucositis and peri-implantitis. Thanks to the mild nature of the ingredients, there is no time limit on its use. One can even say that it is suitable for daily use, each evening
Microtrauma to the gingival tissue, caused during implant insertion, can be treated with durimplant.
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durimplant as an additional measure in the care of the fixed restoration of a single-tooth implant.
after the last toothbrushing of the day. Durimplant is not only an efficient and successful means of prophylactic implant protection. Application to newly placed implants, and/or after the implants are exposed for restoration, for a period of four weeks, has also proved highly beneficial. The pictures demonstrate the impressive results obtained. Durimplant is available from dispensing chemists. A useful tip: you can and should include this product in your range of oral hygiene products for sale to patients at your dental practice. I give my new implant patients a free tube to take home with them, having already made allowance for the cost in the overall treatment plan. And when they have used it up, my patients are so accustomed to the pleasant feel of durimplant, they come back to the practice to purchase a new tube.
Thus, durimplant is another important product which enables you to offer your patients effective prophylaxis, while at the same time generating loyalty to your dental practice.
AUTHOR: Dr. med. dent. Hans Sellmann Langehegge 330 45770 Marl Germany
For further information: lege artis Pharma GmbH + Co. KG Breitwasenring 1 72135 Dettenhausen Germany Tel.: +49 (0)7157 56450 Fax: +49 (0)7157 56450 E-mail: info@legeartis.de Internet: www.durimplant.com
PLAQUENCARE 2/2007