The Implant Review / Maintenance Notes Template
An implant review / maintenance notes template captures the post-loading peri-implant assessment — soft tissue with BOP using light probing force (0.2-0.25N per ITI), peri-implant pocket depths, radiographic bone level comparison to baseline, crown / abutment screw and occlusion check, oral hygiene compliance, bruxism / parafunction status, and next review interval — meeting ITI Consensus 2023 (Morton et al.) and EAO peri-implant monitoring consensus.
No baseline bone level recorded at crown fit means no way to quantify subsequent peri-implant bone loss — and no defence against peri-implantitis claims. Below is the template UK clinicians paste into their PMS for every implant review.
Download the free Implant Review / Maintenance template — plain text, GDC/FGDP(UK)-aligned.
Why this implant review / maintenance template wins
- BoP with LIGHT FORCE (0.2-0.25N per ITI) — implants require lighter probing than teeth; standard pressure causes bleeding artefact.
- Baseline bone level reference — without this, progressive loss undetectable.
- Screw torque check / re-torque schedule — defends against screw loosening complications.
- Cement excess check (or screw-retained note) — peri-implantitis cement-related is a recognised cause.
- Patient-reported outcome — function, comfort, aesthetic — captures the holistic outcome.
Compliance: the medico-legal angle
- ITI Consensus 2023 (Morton et al.) — light probing force, BoP parameter, baseline radiograph requirement.
- EAO peri-implant monitoring consensus.
- ADI maintenance guidance.
- GDC Principle 4 — implant records must allow longitudinal monitoring.
Common mistakes UK dentists make
- No baseline radiograph at crown fit — cannot detect progressive bone loss subsequently.
- Standard probing force used — causes false-positive BoP.
- Cement excess not assessed — leading cause of late peri-implantitis.
- No occlusion re-check — overloading drives screw loosening and crown fracture.
- Generic "implant stable" with no specific assessment — undefendable if peri-implantitis develops.
Frequently asked questions
Why use light probing force on implants?
Implants lack the periodontal ligament that gives teeth their probing resistance. Standard force (0.25N+) on an implant causes bleeding artefact. ITI Consensus 2023 specifies 0.2-0.25N light force for peri-implant assessment to differentiate true inflammation from probing trauma.
How do I establish a baseline?
At crown fit (definitive loading): take a PA radiograph showing bone level around the implant. Save in PMS as "Baseline — Implant UR1 Crown Fit". All subsequent review radiographs compare to this. Without baseline, you cannot quantify bone loss.
When should screw torque be re-checked?
At each maintenance visit — particularly first 6-12 months when loosening is most common. Re-torque to manufacturer specification (typically 20-35Ncm depending on system). Document the torque value.
Plastic or metal scaler for implants?
Plastic / titanium scalers (avoid stainless steel which damages titanium surface). Specialised implant ultrasonic tips (carbon fibre or specialised PEEK / plastic) for sub-marginal access. Airflow with Perio powder (glycine, not sodium bicarbonate) for subgingival biofilm removal.
What's peri-implantitis vs peri-mucositis?
Peri-mucositis: inflammation of soft tissues only (BoP, no bone loss) — reversible with OH improvement. Peri-implantitis: inflammation + progressive bone loss (>2mm beyond physiological remodelling, >25% threads exposed in some classifications). Requires active intervention and possible referral.
How often for implant maintenance?
First year: 3-monthly. Stable thereafter: 6-monthly to annual based on risk factors (smoking, OH compliance, periodontitis history). Document interval rationale.