Implant maintenance using a modified ultrasonic instrument

With the increasing number of implants in place, oral hygiene and maintenance are imperative because implants are susceptible to plaque accumulation and calculus formation. This case study evaluated a modification of the common ultrasonic tip to remove calcified deposits on implant abutments and prostheses, and also evaluated ultrastructural changes on polished titanium. A modified "plastic" ultrasonic instrument was found to be clinically effective and efficient. This instrument, unlike a metal ultrasonic tip on an ultrastructural level, produced no irreversible changes on the evaluated commercially pure titanium test strip. The preliminary results of this modification of an ultrasonic instrument show promise for its use as an implant maintenance modality.