What is LAPIP?
The vast majority of all dental implant placements are successful and last for decades. While most dental implant restorations are successful, there is an occasion when a dental implant might develop complications. A failing dental implant is usually from peri-implantitis, which is an inflammation of the tissues and bone around the implant. Over time, deterioration of the supporting bone will lead to the loosening of the implant. If this happens, the LAPIP protocol (not to be confused with LANAP) is a safe, extremely predictable way to save the implant and to restore your dental health. Studies have proven that up to 95% of failing implants can be restored. The least invasive and most effective way to successfully treat implant infections is with the Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure (LAPIP™).
What is the LAPIP Process
LAPIP is a minimally invasive laser treatment to heal and restore implants affected by peri-implantitis. The primary goal is to eliminate all infections and encourage gum tissue regeneration and bone growth.
Your dentist will use the dental laser to disinfect the infected pockets around the affected dental implants. Usually, one or two treatments are enough to destroy the bacteria and promote healing.
Your dental team will examine the failing implant to determine the depth of the infected pockets around the base of the restoration, then use the dental laser to destroy bacteria, diseased tissue, pathologic proteins, and any other contaminants in the soft tissues. The dental laser uses a specific light frequency to distinguish between diseased and healthy tissue.
An ultrasonic scaler is then used to remove any surface deposits. The laser is then used at a different setting to form a stable fibrin blood clot which contains bone stem cells. This will encourage the adhesion of the surrounding gum tissue to the implant to stabilize it and promote new bone tissue growth.
The Benefits of LAPIP
LAPIP is an alternative to invasive surgery that encourages your body’s natural healing processes for rapid healing and reattachment of damaged tissue to the implant. Advantages of LAPIP include:
- No cutting or sewing of tissues is needed.
- The dental laser provides highly effective disinfection.
- The specific laser light frequency promotes tissue growth in the gums and bone.
- Your recovery time is reduced.
- LAPIP is more successful than traditional surgery.
- Laser treatment is minimally invasive and painless.
- Bone grafts are not needed.
- The treatment is less expensive than having to replace the implant.
Although the vast majority of dental implant procedures are successful, there are situations that occur when an implant begins to fail due to periodontal disease, smoking, aging, injury, or complications of diabetes. Early intervention through LAPIP can save your implant for many years of good dental health. If you think a dental implant is failing, contact your dentist.
Avoid Revision Surgery with LAPIP
Before the LAPIP protocol was introduced, the most common treatment for dental implant failure was the removal and replacement of the restoration. The process for replacing a failed implant is both complicated and requires multiple treatments, which includes removal, a bone graft, and the placement of a new implant. Usually, a new restoration is needed also. In less severe cases, conventional treatment just removes damaged tissue, but this still requires several appointments. In contrast, treating peri-implantitis with LAPIP usually requires only one visit and can save you time and money.