LAPIP Laser Treatment | Tidewater Laser Perio and Implants

Laser Assisted Perio-Implantitis Procedure

The last 20 years has seen a revolution in dentistry, particularly in the field of Dental Implants. Gone are the days where patients have to suffer with loose fitting dentures and removable partials that cause damage to adjacent teeth. Dental Implants are here to stay and are overwhelmingly successful when placed and restored by experienced Dentists and Dental Surgeons.

Despite our best efforts, we are seeing more and more complications with implants. This is a condition we call “Peri-Implantitis”. Many times, implants can get infected under the gum line, which can result in bone loss around the implant, and in some cases loss of the implant itself. Complications due to systemic disease, medications and simply enough, aging can all lead to this problem.

Until recently, the only treatment for an “ailing” implant was either extensive surgical repair and in most cases, removal of the implant and waiting for a new one to be placed.

FDA-Cleared Treatment for Peri-Implantitis

With the advent of LAPIP, which is a specific laser surgery procedure (does not involve a scalpel or stitches), we are able to treat the infections and arrest the disease, and in some cases regenerate new bone around the implant itself!

LAPIP — which stands for Laser Assisted Peri-Implant Procedure, is the only FDA cleared laser procedure to treat ailing dental implants.

LAPIP Post-Operative Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions About LAPIP Laser Treatment

LAPIP — Laser Assisted Peri-Implant Procedure — is the only FDA-cleared laser procedure specifically designed to treat ailing or failing dental implants. It addresses a condition called peri-implantitis, an infection that develops under the gum line around a dental implant, causing bone loss and potentially leading to implant failure. Dr. Cavallari is a LAPIP Certified Clinician at Tidewater Laser Perio and Implants in Virginia Beach, offering this advanced implant-saving treatment to patients throughout Hampton Roads.

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the gum and bone tissue surrounding a dental implant. As dental implants have become increasingly common over the past two decades, peri-implantitis has emerged as a growing complication. The infection develops when bacteria accumulate under the gum line around the implant, triggering an immune response that destroys the surrounding bone. Left untreated, it can result in significant bone loss and ultimately the loss of the implant itself. Contributing factors include systemic disease, certain medications, aging, and inadequate oral hygiene.

Until recently, treatment options for an ailing implant were extremely limited. In most cases, the only available approaches were extensive surgical repair or complete removal of the implant — followed by a waiting period before a replacement could be placed. LAPIP has fundamentally changed this by providing a minimally invasive, laser-based alternative that can treat the infection and in many cases save the implant entirely.

LAPIP uses a specialized laser to access and treat the infected tissue around the dental implant without the need for a scalpel or stitches. The laser targets and eliminates the bacteria causing the infection, arrests the progression of peri-implantitis, and in some cases stimulates the regeneration of new bone around the implant itself. Because there is no cutting or suturing involved, the procedure is significantly less invasive than traditional surgical approaches.

In many cases, yes. LAPIP can treat the infection surrounding the implant, stop bone loss from progressing, and in some patients promote new bone regeneration around the implant. While outcomes depend on the severity of the peri-implantitis and the degree of bone loss already present, LAPIP offers a genuine opportunity to preserve implants that would previously have required removal. Dr. Cavallari will evaluate your specific situation and discuss realistic expectations during your consultation.

Patients who have dental implants and are experiencing symptoms such as swelling, bleeding, pain, or mobility around an implant may be candidates for LAPIP. Patients whose general dentist or oral surgeon has identified bone loss around an existing implant on x-rays should seek a periodontal evaluation promptly. The sooner peri-implantitis is treated, the greater the likelihood of saving the implant. Dr. Cavallari welcomes referrals from dentists throughout Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and the greater Hampton Roads area.

Both procedures use the PerioLase^® MVP-7 laser and follow a similar minimally invasive, no-cut no-suture protocol — but they treat different conditions. LANAP targets periodontal disease affecting natural teeth, while LAPIP is specifically designed to treat peri-implantitis around dental implants. Dr. Cavallari is certified in both protocols and can determine which treatment — or combination of treatments — is appropriate based on your individual diagnosis.

LAPIP Laser Treatment in Virginia Beach, VA

Laser Assisted Perio-Implantitis Procedure

FDA-Cleared Treatment for Peri-Implantitis

Frequently Asked Questions About LAPIP Laser Treatment

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