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LAPIP™ Treatment in Anaheim, CA
LAPIP (Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure) is a minimally invasive treatment for peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that damages the foundation of your dental implants. Unlike periodontal surgery that involves incisions and sutures, LAPIP offers a gentler alternative to save failing dental implants with less downtime, pain, and discomfort for patients.
At First Dental Care, we offer LAPIP to provide a gentler solution for patients with peri-implantitis. Dr. Douglas Kim uses this regenerative treatment to target the infected area while preserving healthy tissues to save your dental implants.
Benefits of LAPIP™ Treatment for Failing Dental Implants
Dr. Douglas Kim specializes in LAPIP™, a cutting-edge, minimally invasive solution designed specifically to rescue your failing dental implant.
How LAPIP™ Compares to Traditional Dental Implant Surgery
Traditional surgery has been the standard approach for the treatment of peri-implantitis, but LAPIP™ offers a regenerative and non-surgical alternative that many patients in Anaheim are now turning to.
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disease that attacks the soft tissue and the bone supporting a dental implant. It is often caused by poor oral hygiene resulting in the buildup of harmful bacteria (plaque) that settles on the base of the dental implant just below the gum line. Other risk factors include a history of periodontal disease, smoking, and diabetes.
As the condition progresses, the gum pockets deepen, the implant post becomes exposed, and it can loosen. In severe cases, the treatment requires removal of the dental implant and bone grafting to replace the damaged bone structure.
Who Is a Good Candidate for LAPIP?
The LAPIP™ procedure is generally suitable for patients who have dental implants affected by peri-implantitis and are looking for an alternative to invasive surgery. You may be a good candidate for LAPIP™ treatment in Anaheim if you:
Have been told your dental implant is failing
Notice that the gums around your implant look red, swollen, or receding
Experience bleeding, pain, or pus around your implant
Diagnosed with peri-mucositis (early-stage infection around an implant) or peri-implantitis (infection with bone loss)
Want to avoid traditional surgery or bone grafting if possible
Have an implant that still has enough surrounding bone to support healing
You may not be a candidate for LAPIP™ alone if:
Your implant is severely compromised or lacks sufficient surrounding bone. In these cases, removal or more complex surgical interventions may still be required.
Your implant is fully loose or mobile (in those cases, removal is typically recommended before any other treatment).
A consultation with Dr. Douglas Kim is the only way to know for certain whether LAPIP is right for you. Call First Dental Care at (714) 527-5656 to schedule an appointment.
What to Expect During Your LAPIP™ Treatment
The LAPIP procedure begins with a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Douglas Kim. Using a 3D CBCT scan, Dr. Kim gets a crystal-clear view of the position of your dental implants and bone health. He’ll then use a small probe to measure any pockets around the implant to map out your treatment.
Before any work starts, Dr. Kim will carefully administer a local anesthetic. Then, Dr. Kim passes a tiny laser fiber between your gum and the implant. This laser targets and vaporizes harmful bacteria and diseased tissue without damaging healthy tissue. Next, Dr. Kim uses specialized ultrasonic scaler tips to clear away any stubborn debris and buildup to create a perfectly clean surface for the laser to work its magic.
Dr. Kim then uses the laser to lightly modify the bone area to help release your body's own stem cells. This is a vital step that triggers your body’s natural ability to regrow bone and heal the site. The laser is used one last time to create a fibrin clot around the implant. The clot seals the area to prevent reinfection and protects the site while it heals.
Dr. Douglas Kim, Certified LAPIP™ Provider in Anaheim, CA
Serving patients in Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, and other Orange County communities
As a certified LAPIP™ provider in Anaheim, Dr. Douglas Kim stands among a select group of dental experts certified to perform this advanced laser procedure. He has dedicated himself to a rigorous, year-long clinical training program focused on mastering the LAPIP™ protocol to ensure the highest standard of care for his patients.
