If you have dental implants affected by peri-implantitis, LAPIP™ can prevent further damage and restore your chewing and biting abilities. You may have been told that you have Peri-Implant Mucositis or Peri-Implantitis. Dr. Gottesman, Dr. Jacobs, or Dr. Bogart may recommend LAPIP treatment at their Manhattan office. This advanced peri-implant surgery can safely and effectively preserve your dental implants and gum tissue. To schedule your appointment, call the New York City office or book online today.
What is LAPIP™?
LAPIP, or Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure, is an effective, patient-friendly treatment solution for peri-implantitis. Left untreated, peri-implantitis negatively affects the position and integration of your dental implants, resulting in bone loss, gum recession, and implant damage. Similar to LANAP, Dr. Jacobs use the Nd:YAG laser known as the Periolase® MVP-7™. The Periolase MVP-7™ removes the infection from beneath your gum line without damaging or compromising healthy tissue.
Clinical studies show that 95% of dental implants treated with the LAPIP protocol benefit from the treatment. Following LAPIP treatment, bone growth stabilizes, allowing each implant to reintegrate with the gum pocket.
Additionally, LAPIP does not require an incision, leaving the gum tissue itself untouched. This preserves the structural integrity of your gums, leaving all future treatment options on the table. The laser targets and ablates the bone destroying bacteria that is adjacent to your implant, but it does not harm healthy tissue or the implant. The implant surface is gently cleaned, and the surrounding bone is activated to open marrow spaces that release bone growing proteins that stimulate bone fill.
After the procedure, Dr. Jacobs will give you simple and easy to follow post-treatment instructions. This is a pain-free procedure, and most patients report little or no discomfort.
What happens during LAPIP treatment?
LAPIP treatment begins with an oral exam and a review of your oral health history. Next, your doctor will order X-rays to get a closer look at the position of your implants and your jaw bone volume.
Before moving forward with the LAPIP protocol, your doctor will administer a local anesthetic. Once the anesthesia sets in, they use the LAPIP laser to vaporize harmful bacteria, damaged gum tissue, and pathologic toxins around each implant. The laser is incredibly small, allowing it to fit between the interproximal areas between your gums and teeth.
The heat of the LAPIP laser produces a thermodynamic fibrin clot to form around the implant. The fibrin clot acts as a barrier and protects the gum tissue around each of your dental implants from reinfection.
How many LAPIP treatments will I need?
LAPIP takes only one visit. The number of implants being treated determines the length of the appointment. If only one or two implants are being treated, treatment time is typically less than an hour. Since there is little or no pain associated with LAPIP, recovery is usually uneventful. You can return to work immediately following the procedure.
As your gums heal, you return to the office for follow-up appointments. During your follow-ups, Dr. Gottesman, Dr. Jacobs, or Dr. Bogart will conduct an oral exam to ensure your gums are healing as they should.
Am I a good candidate for LAPIP?
LAPIP may be necessary if you have been told you have an ailing implant, peri-implant disease, or peri-implantitis. All of these describe bone loss adjacent to a dental implant. Once bone loss occurs next to an implant, gum fills in this space, creating a deep pocket. This pocket is filled with bone destroying bacteria, creating an environment that promotes further bone loss. This can result in de-integration and loss of the implant. Dr. Gottesman, Dr. Jacobs, or Dr. Bogart might recommend LAPIP to try and save your dental implant.
Only a qualified periodontist like ours here at PerioNYC can determine if you’re a good candidate for the LAPIP protocol. However, if you have one or more dental implants and they cause your gums to become inflamed or irritated, you’ll probably benefit from the treatment.
Take the first step toward improved oral health. Schedule a LAPIP consultation at the practice of Dr. Edward Gottesman by calling the office or booking online today.