Saving Failing/Ailing Implants
Safeguarding Your Dental Implants with Advanced Laser Therapy
Innovative LAPIP Treatment for Failing Dental Implants
Complications from implant failures can range from discomfort to severe issues like infection, bone loss, and the potential loss of adjacent teeth. These failures can be due to poor oral hygiene, inadequate bone density or quality, excessive chewing forces causing implant overload, inflammation around the implant (peri-implantitis), or underlying systemic conditions such as diabetes or smoking.
Dr. Sarah Balaster understands implant failure’s complexities and detrimental impact on oral health. We offer Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure (LAPIP) treatment as an innovative solution to rescue failing dental implants. LAPIP therapy targets infected tissue around the implant while preserving healthy structures, promoting effective healing, and restoring oral health for our patients.
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Untreated peri-implantitis, analogous to gum disease affecting natural teeth, can lead to severe infection around dental implants. This condition often arises from poor oral hygiene, allowing tartar buildup that harbors harmful bacteria. Initial signs include swollen gums, tenderness, and heightened mouth sensitivity.
As peri-implantitis progresses, symptoms worsen with increased jaw pain, gum recession, deepening gum pockets, visible implant threads, pus formation, and potential implant loosening. While not widespread, regular check-ups are essential to monitor implant health. If persistent swelling, bleeding, or discomfort near your dental implant occurs, promptly schedule an evaluation and treatment with our expert team.
What to Expect from LAPIP Treatment
To begin the LAPIP process, Dr. Balaster first assesses the extent of tissue degradation surrounding your implants. This assessment involves reviewing digital X-rays and using a specialized probe to measure pocket depth. In cases where antibiotic treatment proves sufficient to combat infection, it may be recommended. However, if LAPIP is determined as the optimal approach, our PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser is employed to gently eliminate bacteria, diseased tissue, pathogenic proteins, and titanium corrosion contaminants from the soft tissue.
Following this, ultrasonic scaler tips are utilized to remove surface growth, and necessary adjustments to the bone are performed. The laser’s effectiveness lies in creating a stable fibrin blood clot containing bone stem cells, achieved without needing scalpels or sutures. This protocol promotes the healing of the soft tissue around the affected implant and facilitates the regeneration of damaged bone tissue while preserving the integrity of the implant.
The Benefits of LAPIP
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Minimal discomfort and downtime
- Preservation of dental implants
- High success rates
- Little to no gum recession
- Reduction in gum inflammation and bleeding
Why Choose Dr. Balaster?
Dr. Balaster, board-certified in periodontology and dental implant surgery, is a clinical leader dedicated to bridging the gap between patients and exceptional care. With a holistic approach, she prioritizes understanding each patient’s unique needs to address root causes comprehensively, ensuring oral and systemic health are meticulously managed.
Dr. Balaster emphasizes personalized care, meeting patients in their individual circumstances, and empowering clinicians and their teams to enhance patient outcomes. Her passion for periodontics stems from its systemic impact; by treating oral infections, she believes in mitigating risks of diseases elsewhere in the body and boosting patients’ confidence. Her commitment lies in integrating advanced techniques to achieve optimal oral health and overall well-being.
