What does LAPIP Stand For
LAPIP (not to be confused with LANAP) stands for Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure and is used to treat failing implants. Peri-Implantitis is a serious condition signified by gum recession and bone loss around an implant. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, signified by gum inflammation and sometimes bleeding when you floss and brush. Left untreated, gingivitis will progress to advanced periodontal disease at which point the gums will begin to recede and the underlying bone structure will start to deteriorate. This progression can leave implants at risk of falling out and it is crucial to seek treatment to save the implant.
Symptoms of peri-implantitis can include:
- Pain at the implant site
- Redness and inflammation
- Bleeding and pus leaking around the implant
- Bone loss
- Implant mobility
LAPIP is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes a periolase dental laser to rid the area of infection and encourage regeneration of the gum and bone tissues.
What is the process for LAPIP?
The dental laser uses a specific light frequency able to distinguish between healthy and infected tissue. It is used to disinfect the pockets in the gum tissue around the infected implant and encourage gum reattachment and healing. Most of the time, patients only need one or two treatments to clear infection and promote healing, each treatment taking about two hours.
To begin, your periodontist will perform an examination of the implant and surrounding tissues to determine the extent of the damage and the depth of the pockets. They will utilize a perio probe to measure the depth of each pocket around the implant. They will then begin treatment with the laser to vaporize bacteria, diseased tissue, and pathogenic proteins.
Next, they will use an ultrasonic scaler to remove build up in the area around and on the implant. Once that step is complete, the laser is then again used to treat the newly cleaned tissue to form a fibrin blood clot containing bone stem cells which will encourage attachment of the surrounding bone and gum tissue to the implant.
After treatment, the implant is left to heal for a few days before the implant crown is put back on. The use of the laser makes healing much easier on the patient and even reduces healing time. Now that the implant is infection free, the bone and gum tissue will regenerate to once again provide a stable foundation for the implant.
Regular visits to your dentist will help identify implant problems before they get worse. This is why it is so important to visit your dentist regularly. Most patients can be seen every six months but those with a history of periodontal issues and those with dental implants should consider visiting their dentist every four months, to make sure everything is healthy and working properly. As soon as you notice and swelling or bleeding around an implant, get to your dentist as soon as you can to receive treatment and prevent further damage or implant failure.