Case 3

“Light it up”

By Charles R. Braga, D.M.D., M.M.Sc.
Specialist in Periodontics with Services in Dental Implants and Oral Medicine
Certified Instructor, The Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry

Mrs. B , a 54 year old female presented in early March 2013 with the complaint that her dental implant in the #4 position, placed by another surgeon in 2007, was failing and that the disease was spreading to her premolar #5. A review of the past medical history was insignificant; as well she took no medications. Her main concern, and rightly so, was that she could end up losing both the implant and the first biscuspid adjacent to it.

Clinically,  aside from some gingival inflammation, the site was found to be largely asymptomatic.  She sought my assistance as LAPIP, a laser-mediated therapy option, was more acceptable to her than the open flap “clean out and bone graft” her dentist had recommended.  LAPIP therapy was completed on 27 May 2013.  

Probing depths and energetics used in the case were as follows. A total of 231 joules were used for the procedure and the probing depths, pre-operatively ranged from 6-10 mm’s around the fixture.  On re-examination on 14 November 2013, probing depths were greatly reduced to under 3mm without bleeding on probing.  The followup radiograph shows considerable new opacity which I assume to be new bone.  She continues to remain stable.