Finishing your dental treatment in Istanbul is a huge milestone. Whether you have just received a brand-new set of custom porcelain veneers or a full smile restoration with dental implants, walking out of our clinic with that new wave of confidence is an incredible feeling. However, finishing your treatment in Turkey is not the end of your dental journey; it is actually the start of your maintenance phase.
Keeping your new smile healthy and beautiful takes some ongoing care. While we provide comprehensive warranties at Dent of Istanbul, keeping your new teeth in perfect shape is a team effort. It involves you, our team, and your regular dentist back home. Here is how you can coordinate your aftercare easily and successfully.
Why Long-Term Maintenance Matters
Dental implants have an incredibly high success rate of over 95%, but they aren't something you can just "set and forget." Just like your natural teeth, implants are anchored in living bone and gum tissue. The main threat to a healed dental implant is a condition called peri-implantitis, which is an inflammatory disease caused by plaque building up around the implant crown. If left untreated, it can lead to bone loss and cause the implant to fail.
To prevent this, you'll need to keep up a great daily brushing and flossing routine at home, along with regular cleanings and checkups at your local dental office.
How to Coordinate with Your Local Dentist
A lot of people worry that their dentist back home might not want to look after dental work done abroad. In reality, most dentists are more than happy to do your routine cleanings and checkups, as long as they have the right information. Here is how you can make the process completely smooth:
1. Share Your Medical Folder
When you finish your treatment at Dent of Istanbul, we will give you a complete digital medical folder. This contains your before-and-after 3D scans, X-rays, and the details of your treatment plan. Share this folder with your local dentist so they can see exactly how your implants were placed and how your new teeth were designed.
2. Show Your Dental Implant Passport
This is perhaps the most important document you will bring back. Your implant passport has the official manufacturer stickers that show the exact brand (like Straumann or Nobel Biocare), model, size, and length of each implant. If your local dentist ever needs to adjust a crown or tighten a screw, they will know exactly which tools and parts they need.
3. Book Your Cleanings Every Six Months
Schedule a professional cleaning with your local hygienist twice a year, and let them know you have implants. Hygienists use special carbon-fiber or plastic tools to clean around implants. Traditional metal tools can scratch the titanium or zirconia, creating tiny grooves where bacteria can grow.
Your Daily Aftercare Routine at Home
While professional checkups are a must, your daily habits at home are what really decide how long your new teeth will last. Here is what your daily routine should look like:
- Brush Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric one. Stay away from harsh whitening toothpastes, as they can scratch porcelain veneers or composite bonding.
- Clean Between Your Teeth: Use interdental brushes or special implant floss (which has a thick, spongy middle section) to clean around your implants and under your crowns.
- Use a Water Flosser: A water flosser (like a Waterpik) is excellent for flushing out food particles and plaque from under implant bridges and All-on-4 restorations.
- Wear Your Nightguard: If you grind your teeth at night, make sure to wear the custom nightguard we made for you. This protects your porcelain from getting chipped by heavy grinding pressure.
We Are Always Here to Help
Just because you have gone home doesn't mean our relationship ends. We always encourage our patients to send us copies of their annual dental X-rays. Dr. Nilgün Başar and our team will gladly review them for free to check your bone levels and make sure everything remains in perfect shape. If you or your local dentist ever have a question, we are always just a WhatsApp message away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my local dentist be able to maintain my dental implants?
Yes. Routine maintenance, such as professional cleanings and annual checkups, is standard practice. By sharing your dental implant passport (which details the brand, model, and size of your implants) with your local dentist, they will have all the technical specifications they need.
How often do I need professional cleanings after getting implants?
We recommend visiting your local dental hygienist at least twice a year (every six months) for professional cleanings. They will use specialized, non-abrasive instruments designed specifically for cleaning around implant restorations.
What should I do if a local dentist refuses to treat my 'Turkey teeth'?
While some dentists may express hesitation about treating restorations completed abroad, most ethical practitioners will gladly perform routine maintenance, cleanings, and checkups. Providing them with a complete medical folder and implant passport from Dent of Istanbul usually resolves any concerns.
