Dental Hygiene is just as important for the implant patient as it is for the patient with all natural teeth. The gum tissue around a dental implant is different than around a natural tooth. The natural tooth has a stronger tooth to gum connection than the dental implant. Dental hygiene visits will be every three months for the first year following surgery, then every three to six months depending upon the remaining teeth or what our office recommends. Dr. Lee Fitzgerald's office has specific instruments that our hygienists use to clean and maintain dental implant restorations. Every few years some of the teeth that are screwed onto the implants will need to be removed for additional cleaning. Cleaning and maintenance fees are separate from the dental implant surgical and restorative fees.