Peri-Implant Maintenance

What is peri-implant maintenance?

Peri-implant maintenance (PIM) is the ongoing professional cleaning and assessment of dental implants and their surrounding soft tissues. The workflow differs materially from natural-tooth prophylaxis: titanium implant surfaces are vulnerable to scratching from metal tips and abrasion from coarse powders, and scratched surfaces accumulate biofilm faster — a direct pathway to peri-implantitis.

Contemporary PIM protocols use only compatible tools: plastic or PEEK-tipped ultrasonic inserts, titanium or nylon curettes, and low-abrasive powders (glycine or erythritol) for air polishing. Sodium bicarbonate is contraindicated.

When is it used?

Peri-implant maintenance is standard of care for every patient with one or more dental implants. Recall interval is typically 3-4 months in the first year and adjusted by risk thereafter.