A Gentle Laser Option to Help Save Your Dental Implant
If you’ve noticed swelling, tenderness, or bleeding around your dental implant, you might be dealing with something called peri-implantitis—a type of infection that can cause the bone around your implant to break down. Left untreated, this condition can lead to implant failure. The good news? You may not need invasive surgery to treat it. At our office, we offer LAPIP®, a gentle, laser-based treatment that helps your body heal around the implant—without cutting or stitches.
What Is LAPIP®?
LAPIP stands for Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure. It’s a specialized laser treatment that cleans out the infection around your dental implant and encourages your body to heal the area naturally. It’s designed to treat the problem without removing the implant. This procedure uses the same advanced laser technology (PerioLase® MVP-7™) we trust to treat gum disease—and it’s been adapted to work safely and effectively around implants.
Why Patients Like LAPIP®
- No scalpels or stitches
- Less discomfort and faster recovery
- Preserves your existing implant
- Helps your body rebuild lost bone and gum tissue
- Done right in the dental chair, often in one visit
How Do I Know If I Need It?
You might be a good candidate for LAPIP if you have:
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums around your implant
- A bad taste or odor near the implant
- Gum recession or bone loss in that area
- Your implant crown feels a little loose
- A history of gum disease or smoking
If you’re not sure, we’re happy to take a look. We use digital X-rays and a gentle exam to figure out exactly what’s going on and whether LAPIP is the right fit for you.
What Happens During the Procedure?
- We check the implant area carefully
We’ll start with an exam and X-rays to see how much infection is present. - Laser treatment is performed
Using a tiny laser fiber, we gently remove the bacteria and infected tissue around your implant, no scalpels or cutting involved. The laser also helps seal the area and jumpstart the healing process. - You go home and heal naturally
There’s very little downtime. Most patients go back to their normal routine by the next day. We’ll schedule a few follow-up visits to make sure everything is healing properly.
Why Choose Our Office?
Dr. Sakhai is a gum specialist (periodontist) with advanced training in treating both natural teeth and dental implants. He uses the most up-to-date technology, including the LAPIP protocol, to give you the best chance at saving your implant and avoiding more invasive procedures.
Worried about an implant that feels sore or loose?
Let us take a look. Call us today to schedule a consultation and learn if LAPIP is the right solution for you.
Still have questions?