If you have a dental implant that’s showing signs of trouble, it’s natural to assume the worst. But removal and replacement aren’t always the only answer. LAPIP™, which stands for Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Protocol, is a clinically proven, minimally invasive laser treatment that targets the infection threatening your implant and gives it the best possible chance for long-term survival.
At Bellmore Family Dental & Precision Specialty, we offer LAPIP as part of a comprehensive approach to implant health for patients in Bellmore, NY, and the surrounding communities. When saving an implant is an option, it’s almost always worth pursuing.
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition that develops in the gum tissue and bone surrounding a dental implant. Caused by bacterial infection, it can lead to progressive bone loss, tissue breakdown, and ultimately implant failure if left untreated. Symptoms can be subtle in the early stages, which is why routine monitoring of implant health is so important. Common signs of peri-implantitis include:
LAPIP is a laser-based treatment protocol developed specifically to address peri-implantitis without traditional open surgery. Using a specialized laser wavelength, our team targets and eliminates the harmful bacteria and infected tissue surrounding the failing implant while leaving healthy tissue completely undisturbed.
The laser energy also activates the body’s natural healing response, encouraging bone and gum tissue to regenerate and reattach around the implant post. The result is a cleaner, healthier implant environment with significantly less trauma, bleeding, and recovery time than conventional surgical approaches.
Before recommending LAPIP, we conduct a thorough evaluation of the affected implant, including advanced imaging to assess the degree of bone loss and tissue damage. This allows us to determine whether LAPIP is the right course of action and to give you an honest picture of the realistic outcomes for your specific situation.
Treatment is performed right here in our Bellmore office and typically requires no incisions or sutures. The laser is carefully guided around the implant site to remove infected tissue and bacteria, decontaminate the implant surface, and create the right conditions for healthy tissue regeneration. Most patients find the procedure far more comfortable than they expected.
Because LAPIP is minimally invasive, recovery is generally much smoother than after traditional implant surgery. Some mild tenderness in the treated area is normal in the days following the procedure. We’ll provide detailed post-treatment instructions and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and confirm the implant is stabilizing as planned.
Long-term success after LAPIP depends on consistent follow-up care and good oral hygiene habits at home. We’ll build a customized maintenance schedule to keep your treated implant healthy and catch any early signs of recurrence before they can progress.
LAPIP is an excellent option for patients who have been diagnosed with peri-implantitis or are experiencing early warning signs of implant failure. Good candidates are those whose implant structure is still sufficiently intact to justify saving, and who are committed to the follow-up care and oral hygiene habits that support long-term success after treatment. LAPIP may be appropriate if you:
Successfully treating peri-implantitis requires a provider with deep expertise in both implant care and periodontal disease. Our team at Bellmore Family Dental & Precision Specialty has the clinical background to approach this treatment with the accuracy and thoroughness it demands.
We also regularly treat patients whose implants were placed at other practices, delivering the same level of precision and care in every case, regardless of the practice that placed them. When your implant is at risk, you want experienced hands in your corner.
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the procedure is. Local anesthesia is used throughout treatment, and sedation options are available for patients who prefer additional ease. Post-treatment soreness is typically mild and resolves within a few days.
The number of sessions depends on the severity of the peri-implantitis and how well the implant responds to initial treatment. Many patients see significant improvement after a single visit, though we’ll recommend a follow-up schedule based on your individual healing progress.
Not every failing implant is a candidate. If bone loss is too advanced or the implant is too compromised, removal and replacement may ultimately be the better long-term solution. We’ll always give you an honest assessment of what’s realistic for your situation.
If treatment doesn’t produce the expected outcome, we’ll discuss your remaining options, which may include more advanced surgical intervention or implant removal and replacement. Because we handle all of these procedures in-house, you’ll never need to start over with an unfamiliar provider if the plan needs to evolve.
In many cases, yes. Consistent oral hygiene, regular professional cleanings, and routine monitoring are the most effective ways to detect and address early signs of peri-implantitis before they progress. We’ll help you build a long-term maintenance routine designed to protect your implants.
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