Save Failing Dental Implants with LAPIP
Dental implant restorative procedures enjoy an extremely high success rate, but there still can be situations when a dental implant could develop complications. A failing dental implant is quite often the result of peri-implantitis, which is the inflammation of the tissues and bone surrounding the implant. Gradually, over time, the deterioration of the supporting bone will bring on the loosening of the implant. If this happens, the LAPIP protocol is an extremely safe and predictable treatment to save the implant and to restore your dental health. Studies have proven that up to 95% of failing implants can actually be restored.
What Are the Symptoms of Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis is often very subtle and therefore difficult to detect. It is less frequent than periodontitis, or the advanced stage of gum disease. If you have a dental implant, it is important to practice good oral hygiene and to also schedule regular check-ups. Your dentist can detect peri-implantitis with x-rays taken during your regular dental exams.
Here are other signs of peri-implantitis:
- Your gums are bleeding.
- There is bone loss around the implant.
- The implant moves and is less stable.
- There is pain around the implant.
- There is pus leaking around the implant.
- Evidence of redness and swelling of the gums.
What is the Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure?
LAPIP (not to be confused with LANAP) stands for Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure, which is an innovative, minimally invasive laser surgery to restore and heal implants affected by peri-implantitis. The goal is to eliminate all infections and encourage healthy gum tissue regeneration and bone growth.
Your dentist will use the dental laser to disinfect the pocket around the affected dental implant. One or two treatments are all that is needed to destroy any bacteria and promote healing.
The LAPIP Process
Your dentist will examine and confirm the failing implant, determine the depth of the infected pocket around the restoration, then introduce the dental laser to destroy and remove the bacteria, diseased tissue, pathologic proteins, and any other contaminants in the gum tissues. The dental laser uses a unique, specific light frequency to distinguish the difference between the diseased and healthy tissue.
An ultrasonic scaler is usually added then used to remove any remaining surface deposits. The laser is next used at a different light setting to form a stable fibrin blood clot which contains bone stem cells. This immediately encourages the adhesion of the surrounding gum tissue to the implant to stabilize and secure it and promote new bone tissue growth. Once the area has healed, the visible crown of the restoration can be reattached.
What are the Benefits of LAPIP for Peri-Implantitis?
LAPIP is a far less invasive alternative to traditional oral surgery that does not require any surgical incisions and longer recovery times. Some of the benefits of LAPIP include:
- Much less bleeding.
- Less risk of any infection following treatment.
- Absolutely minimally invasive.
- No surgical sutures.
- Considerably quicker recovery time.
- Literally painless.
- No need to remove the implant.
- Bone grafting is not needed.
- A remarkably high success rate for retaining implants.
- Usually completed in just one office visit.
If you notice pain, inflammation, or a loose dental implant, your dentist can easily preserve the integrity of your dental implant with a LAPIP treatment.