20
Nov
Peri-Implantitis Treatment with LANAP Laser Therapy
Reviewed by Dr. Ava Khodakhast
|
Reading time: four minutes
You’ve worked hard to restore your smile with dental implants, so it can be worrying if the gums around them start to feel sore, swollen, or bleed when brushing. These are signs of peri-implantitis, an infection that can damage the bone supporting your implant and, over time, cause it to loosen.
LANAP laser therapy gently removes infection, helps rebuild bone, and gives your implant a stronger, healthier foundation, all with little to no discomfort.
Table of Contents
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is an infection that develops around a dental implant. It’s similar to gum disease around natural teeth but occurs in the tissues and bone supporting the implant. Over time, bacteria destroy the surrounding structures, causing:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing
- Deep pockets around the implant
- Receding gums or exposed implant threads
- Loose or mobile implants
- Bone loss visible on X-rays
Traditional treatment often involves mechanical cleaning or surgery, but these approaches can be invasive and uncomfortable. That’s where LANAP comes in.
LANAP: A Targeted Approach to Peri-Implantitis
LANAP is an FDA-approved laser therapy that removes bacteria and infected tissue around the implant without scalpels or sutures. The laser specifically targets diseased tissue and leaves healthy tissue intact, allowing your body to heal naturally.
Here’s how it works:
- Precise bacterial removal: Eliminates harmful bacteria and infected tissue inside periodontal pockets without damaging healthy gum.
- Bone and ligament regeneration: Stimulates stem cells in the area to promote the regrowth of bone and periodontal ligament, helping stabilize the implant.
- Reduced inflammation: Reduces swelling and bleeding by sealing blood vessels and promoting faster healing.
- Reattachment of tissues: As the area heals, the gums reattach to the implant, creating a stronger, healthier foundation.
Unlike traditional surgery, patients experience minimal discomfort, faster recovery, and better long-term outcomes.
Benefits of LANAP for Failing Dental Implants
LANAP is a major advancement in implant care and regenerative dentistry. Some of the key benefits include:
- Minimally invasive: No cutting or stitches required.
- Preserves healthy tissue: Targets only infected areas.
- Regenerates bone and ligament: Encourages natural healing and stabilization.
- Stops implant mobility: Strengthens the implant’s foundation.
- Reduces infection risk: Sterilizes the area and seals the pocket.
- Faster healing: Less discomfort and downtime compared to surgery.
For patients with peri-implantitis, LANAP can often save implants that might otherwise need to be removed.
What to Expect During LANAP Treatment
A typical LANAP procedure involves several steps:
- Evaluation: We examine the implant and surrounding tissue with X-rays and probes to assess bone loss.
- Laser cleaning: The PerioLase® laser is used to remove bacteria and diseased tissue.
- Tissue regeneration: The laser energy activates stem cells to stimulate bone and tissue growth.
- Sealing the pocket: The laser creates a fibrin clot, protecting the site and allowing natural healing.
Most patients can return to normal activities within 24 hours.
Why Choose a Prosthodontist for LANAP?
Treating peri-implantitis successfully requires deep expertise in both implant placement and tissue regeneration. As a board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Ava Khodakhast offers advanced LANAP laser care that protects your investment in dental implants and your long-term oral health.
Her experience in restoring function and esthetics ensures that your treatment plan supports the stability, comfort, and appearance of your smile for years to come.
Restore Your Implant Health with LANAP Laser Therapy
If you’re experiencing tenderness, bleeding, or loosening around your dental implant, early treatment can make all the difference. LANAP laser therapy offers a modern, comfortable way to reverse infection and help your implant heal naturally.
To book an appointment at our dental office in Centennial, CO, call (303) 770-2254 or request an appointment online.
FAQs
What is LANAP used for?
LANAP treats gum disease and peri-implantitis by removing bacteria and promoting bone and tissue regeneration without surgery. It also supports bone density, which is crucial for maintaining healthy implants and preventing future bone loss.
Can LANAP save a failing implant?
LANAP helps clean the infected area, regenerate bone, and stabilize the implant, often preventing dental implant failure. By improving bone support and tissue attachment, it increases your chances of long-term dental implant success.
Does it hurt?
Most patients report minimal discomfort. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and recovery is much faster than traditional surgery.
How long does it take to heal?
Healing begins immediately, with most patients resuming normal activity within 24 hours. Full regeneration occurs over several months as bone and tissue rebuild.
Is LANAP better than traditional gum surgery?
For many patients, yes. LANAP offers less pain, no stitches, faster recovery, and tissue regeneration that traditional surgery can’t achieve.
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Dr. Ava Khodakhast
Immerse yourself in the world of exquisite dental artistry crafted by Dr. Ava Khodakhast, a
distinguished prosthodontist whose journey is a testament to the fusion of science and art in
dentistry. With an unwavering commitment to elevating lives through her specialized expertise, Dr.
Khodakhast has redefined the landscape of prosthodontics, captivating hearts with her transformative
work.
Embarking on her odyssey in 2000 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, Dr. Khodakhast's passion for her
craft led her to traverse continents for knowledge. She pursued her American DDS at the esteemed
University of Missouri, Kansas
City, setting the foundation for a remarkable career. Yet, her thirst
for mastery pushed her to delve deeper. Venturing into the realm of complexity, she dedicated three
intensive years at the Medical College of Georgia, earning a master's in Oral
Biology and seamlessly
entwining it with a Residency in Prosthodontics.
Prosthodontics is the symphony of precision and creativity, where every note is a smile transformed.
Dr. Khodakhast is a virtuoso in this art, specializing in intricate cosmetic makeovers, implant
procedures, and comprehensive mouth rehabilitation. Recognized as a "Diplomate" by
the American Board of
Prosthodontics and as a "Fellow" by the American College of Prosthodontists, she soars
among the select few who define excellence in this arena. Her certification as a prosthodontist is a
testament to her rigorous education and training, making her a beacon of expertise for dental and
maxillofacial reconstruction and rehabilitation. Dentists themselves entrust their patients to her
care, a testament to her unparalleled mastery.
A luminary in academia, Dr. Khodakhast served as the assistant director of Advanced Education in
General Dentistry at the University
of Missouri in Kansas City. She also worked in private practice
at UMKC, applying the techniques and skills she taught in complicated, aesthetic case settings.
During her junior year of college, she graced India with her charitable work, a touch of humanity
that infuses her artistry with compassion.
Emanating from the core of her being is a dedication to her patient's well-being. You can rely on
her to provide unparalleled care rooted in scientific precision and artistic commitment.