Save Failing Dental Implants with LAPIP
Dental implants are one of the best ways to replace a missing tooth. While implants have a high success rate, there may be an occasion when an implant develops complications and may fail. Peri-implantitis is signified by inflammation at the tissue and bone around the implant. Overtime, the bone supporting the implant may deteriorate and cause the implant to become loose. A treatment called Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure, LAPIP for short, is a safe option to save the implant and restore dental health.
LAPIP Procedure
LAPIP is a minimally invasive surgery using a periolase dental laser to eliminate infection and encourage gum tissue regeneration and bone growth. The laser is used to disinfect the gum pockets around the affected implant. Most patients only need one or two treatments to clear infection and promote healing.
Your doctor will perform an examination of the failing implant to determine the extent of the infection and depth of the pockets at the base of the implant. The periolase laser uses a specific light frequency that distinguishes between healthy tissue and infected tissue. The doctor will use the laser to remove diseased tissue, kill bacteria and pathologic proteins, and any contaminants in the gum tissue.
After the first step with the laser, an ultrasonic scaler is used to remove surface deposits before a final run with the laser. The second use of the laser works to form a fibrin blood blot containing bone stem cells to encourage adhesion of the surrounding gum tissue to the implant. This will help to stabilize the implant and promote healthy new bone and tissue growth. Once the area is healed, the implant crown restoration can be reattached.
Advantages of LAPIP
LAPIP (not to be confused with LANAP) is an alternative to invasive gum surgery and works to encourage the body’s natural healing processes for rapid healing and reattachment of damaged tissue to the implant. With the non invasive treatment using LAPIP, advantages over traditional surgery include:
- No incision or suturing of the gum tissue required
- Less recovery time
- More successful than traditional surgery
- Highly effective disinfection
- Promotes healthy tissue growth in the gums and bone
- Minimally invasive and easier on the patient
- Bone grafts are not needed
- Less expensive than replacing the implant
As with any dental restoration, dental implants are not immune to compromise. Implants can fail with improper care or injury. Certain medical complications and lifestyle habits can have a negative impact on the health of your implant. Early intervention using laser-based LAPIP can save your implant for years of optimal dental health. If you notice any changes in your implant or the surrounding tissue, it is important to see your periodontist as soon as possible to get treatment before any further damage occurs.