While the goal of every dental implant procedure is a complication-free recovery, this doesn’t always happen. Peri-implantitis, an infection around dental implants, is an unfortunate possibility that, if left untreated, can become serious and result in removed implants, bone damage and/or gum complications. If you’re afraid your dental implant has become infected, Dr. Amin Samadian can help you save your implant and your smile.
How Does LAPIP Infected Implant Treatment Work?
Dental implants have significantly changed the way smile restoration is performed in recent years, but they aren’t without complications and risks. When peri-implantitis occurs, the first step is administering antibiotics, but if Dr. Samadian determines your infection needs more intervention, he recommends LAPIP infected implant treatment.
The PerioLase® laser targets the bacteria that leads to periodontal disease and peri-implantitis without affecting harming your healing soft tissues. The laser’s energy removes all traces of the bacteria, diseased tissues, any harmful proteins that promote infection growth, and titanium corrosive elements that may be present. LAPIP also stimulates gum tissue regeneration and helps any bone lost to the infection grow back. LAPIP can be effective in just 1-2 treatments, rather than multiple, more painful procedures or surgery.
How Do I Know When I Need LAPIP Infected Dental Implant Treatment?
Post-op dental implant infections don’t happen frequently, but they can happen, so it’s best to know what to look for in case it happens to you. Once harmful bacteria take hold of the gums around your implants, your gums may become red, tender, and swollen around the implants. If the “pocket” of gum tissue around your implant seems to be growing, your gum line may be receding, another sign of infection. The implant itself may also become more exposed, with the threads becoming visible or the implant itself feeling loose. The infected discharge may also be an unpleasant sign, one you may taste rather than see. Pain in your jawbone can indicate bone deterioration if the infection is deep below the gumline. If your gums are more prone to bleeding, you may also need to be seen. Gums should not bleed if they’re healthy. Swollen or tender lymph nodes in your neck or armpits are another sign of dental implant infection.
If you experience increasing pain or discomfort, soreness in certain head or neck positions, headaches, or jaw stiffness, you may have peri-implantitis. The earlier you can be treated, the faster you can recover and the better your chances of saving the implant.
What Treatment And Results Can I Expect?
What’s amazing about LAPIP infected implant treatment is that there’s almost no pain at all. Unlike more traditional treatments, with LAPIP, there are no incisions or stitches, and the laser energy is extremely effective in removing all the bacteria responsible for your infected implant. In most cases, patients who are uncomfortable find relief with over-the-counter pain medication.
Improvement is noticeable after your first LAPIP treatment as the infection begins to clear up. Pain should subside, and swelling and redness should reduce. If it does not fully disappear, a second LAPIP procedure may be necessary. Because the integrity of your bone is critical in the success of your dental implant, the sooner you can have LAPIP, the better.
Because dental implants are such an investment in your dental and oral health, it’s smart to preserve them as they heal and fully integrate with your bone.
Take The Next Step
If you have questions about LAPIP infected implant treatment, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Amin Samadian, proudly serving the East Bay Area, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Piedmont, Danville, San Ramon, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Oakland, Berkeley, and Brentwood, CA. You can count on him to help you make an informed decision. Call us at (925-578-3713) or fill out our convenient online contact form.
