What is LAPIP?
The majority of all dental implant placements are successful and will last for decades. While most dental implant restorations are indeed successful, there is a circumstance when a dental implant may develop complications. A dental implant failing is usually from peri-implantitis, which is the inflammation of the tissue and bone surrounding the implant. Deterioration of the supporting bone will lead to the loosening of the implant. If this occurs, the LAPIP protocol is a safe and predictable treatment to save the implant and to restore your dental health. Studies have shown that up to 95% of failing implants can be restored. The least invasive and most successful way to treat implant infections is with the Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure (LAPIP).
What is the LAPIP Process
LAPIP (not to be confused with LANAP) is a minimally invasive laser treatment to restore and heal implants affected by peri-implantitis. The principal goal is to remove all infections and then encourage gum tissue regeneration and bone growth.
Your dentist will use a dental laser to purge the infected pockets around the affected dental implant. One or two treatments are usually enough to eliminate the bacteria and stimulate healing.
Your dental team will evaluate the failing implant to determine the extent of the infected pockets around the restoration, then use the dental laser to destroy any bacteria, diseased tissue, and any other contaminants in the soft tissues. The dental laser operates with a specific light frequency to distinguish between the diseased and healthy tissue.
An ultrasonic scaler is next used to remove any unwanted surface deposits. The laser is then changed to a different setting to create a stable fibrin blood clot which contains bone stem cells. This encourages the adhesion of the surrounding gum tissue to the implant to stabilize it again and promote new bone tissue growth.
The Benefits of LAPIP
LAPIP is a viable alternative to invasive surgery that encourages rapid healing and reattachment of damaged tissue to the implant. Advantages of LAPIP include:
- No cutting of tissues is necessary.
- The dental laser delivers highly effective disinfection.
- The specific laser light frequency promotes growth in the gums and bone.
- Your recovery time is shortened.
- LAPIP has been proven to be more successful than traditional surgery.
- Laser treatment is minimally invasive and painless.
- Bone grafts are not required.
- The treatment is more economical than having to replace the implant.
The vast majority of dental implant procedures are indeed successful, but there are situations that happen when an implant fails from periodontal disease, aging, smoking, injury, or complications of diabetes. Early intervention with LAPIP can save your implant for years of good dental health. If you think your dental implant is failing, contact your dentist.
Avoid Revision Surgery with LAPIP
Before the LAPIP protocol was introduced, the treatment for dental implant failure was removal and replacement of the implant. The process for replacing a failed implant requires multiple treatments, which includes removal, a bone graft, and then the placement of a new implant. Usually, a new crown is needed also. In less severe situations, conventional treatment just removes damaged tissue, but this requires several appointments. Treating peri-implantitis with LAPIP usually just requires one visit and will save you time and money.