Abstract

Tooth extraction or tooth loss can often result in both alveolar ridge resorption and soft tissue collapse. Preservation of bone volume and soft tissue height at the time of tooth extraction is an important procedure that can facilitate various treatment approaches specially implant placement and ensure that proper restorative goals are met. Proper management of extraction sites at the time of tooth extraction can reduce or eliminate the future need for advanced ridge augmentation procedures prior to implant placement. In addition, poor extraction site management may lead to esthetic and functional prosthetic complications.

1. Introduction

Alveolar ridge volume reduction is a direct consequence of tooth loss. ^{1, 2} Such dimensional change occurs mainly at the expense of bone remodeling. ^{3, 4} The limited amount of remaining bone volume may compromise the functional and esthetic rehabilitation of the edentulous span. Non extraction causes of alveolar bone loss include denture induced atrophy, trauma, periodontal disease, congenital alveolar defects, and tumor resection ⁵.

In an attempt to minimize post-extraction dimensional changes, clinicians are using alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) techniques immediately after tooth extraction. ^{6, 7} A variety of surgical approaches and biomaterials have been proposed, including the use of autologous bone, allografts, xenografts, alloplastic materials, barrier membranes and growth factors. ^{8, 9}

Although ARP has been investigated and yet debated, a consensus on the ideal clinical protocol has not been reached. ^{10, 11, 12, 13} This limitation may be a result of the fact that there are a number of local and systemic variables that may affect the clinical outcomes, as well as that there are marked methodological differences among most published studies.

Ridge atrophy after tooth loss has been shown to follow certain patterns. In the maxilla, the labial wall of the alveolar socket tends to resorb more rapidly after dental extraction and the ridge gradually becomes represented by the previous palatal wall (centripetal resorption). ¹⁴ In the mandible, however, the lingual wall tends to resorb before the buccal (centrifugal resorption). This discrepancy in the resorption pattern frequently compromises the sagittal and axial intermaxillary relationship. ¹⁵ In both jaws, the thickness of the alveolar bone ridge is compromised earlier than its height ¹⁶.

2. Biology of Bone Loss after Extraction

The events that occur in a healing extraction socket have been identified histologically in both animals and humans. Five stages of healing in human extraction sockets have been described (Figure 1). ¹⁴ In the first stage a clot forms from the coagulation of red and white blood cells. The second stage involves the replacement of the clot by granulation tissue over a 4 to 5 day period. The third stage involves the replacement of the granulation tissue by connective tissue over a 14 to 16 day period. The connective tissue contains spindle shaped fibroblasts, collagen, and ground substance. In the fourth stage, calcification of osteoid takes place at the base of the socket. Early osteoid is seen at the base of the socket at 7 to 10 days, while it takes 6 weeks for bone trabeculae to fill the socket. In the fifth stage, epithelial closure of the socket is completed during a 24 to 35 day period following extraction. After 5 to 10 weeks of healing, substantial bone fill has taken place in the socket. ¹⁵ After 8 weeks, osteogenic activity begins to slow, and by 16 weeks bone fill is complete with relatively little osteogenic activity. ¹⁶

In combination with the healing events that are taking place within the extraction socket, gross morphologic changes are taking place in both the bone and overlying mucosa. Many different methods of analyzing morphological changes at extraction sockets have been described, including cephalometric measurements, study cast measurements, subtraction radiography, and direct measurement of the ridge. ¹⁷

Most of the literature suggests that the loss of alveolar ridge following tooth extraction is greater in the horizontal dimension compared to the vertical dimension. Approximately 5 to 7 mm of horizontal or buccao-lingual ridge reduction can occur during a 6 to 12 month period. In a 12 month prospective study, Schropp and coworkers analyzed 46 premolar and molar extraction sockets from 46 patients and found a 50% loss in ridge with an average 6.1 mm of horizontal loss. Two thirds of this loss of bone volume occurred within the first 3 months, and changes were slightly greater in the molar region compared to the premolar area. ⁴

Likewise, Lekovic and coworkers described an average horizontal ridge loss of 4.5 mm six months following tooth extraction. ¹⁸ In another study, Iasella and coworkers described an average horizontal ridge loss of 3.6 mm six months following tooth extraction. ⁷ Corresponding reductions in vertical ridge height ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 mm have also been noted in another study. ¹⁹

Several studies investigated the vertical height changes after extraction. Lekovic and coworkers demonstrated a loss in vertical height of 1.5 mm after 6 months, ¹⁸ Schropp and coworkers described a loss of 0.7 mm in height after 12 months, ⁴ Also, Iasella and coworkers described a loss of 0.9 mm in height after 6 months. ⁷

In addition to differences in dimensional changes that exist among vectors, others studies have suggested that the amount of ridge contraction varies within the socket itself. In the apical and middle portions of the socket site, minor dimensional alterations occurred, while in the coronal portion of the ridge the reduction of the hard tissue volume was much more significant. ²⁰

3. Extraction Socket Healing with Socket Preservation

Many studies have looked at the results of ridge dimension following tooth extraction after the use of an intra-socket graft with either an absorbable or non-absorbable membrane compared to extraction alone. Iasella and coworkers analyzed ridge width and ridge height in non-molar extraction sockets when freeze dried bone allograft and a collagen membrane were used after tooth extraction, and compared these dimensions to extraction alone (Figure 2). They found that the sockets that were preserved lost 1.6 mm less ridge width and 2.2 mm less ridge height. Maxillary sites lost more than mandibular sites, and most ridge resorption occurred on the buccal aspect of the ridge. In addition, this group noticed approximately 15% more bone in the sockets that were preserved. ⁷ Lekovic and coworkers compared the use of a bioabsorbable membrane over extraction sockets to extraction sockets alone and found that the preserved sites lost 0.38 mm of ridge height and 1.3mm of ridge width as compared to extraction sites alone, which lost 1.5 mm of ridge height and 4.56 mm of ridge width. ¹⁸

The findings from these studies indicated that a greater amount of socket resorption can be expected if a graft is not used and that sockets can be better preserved with the use of a graft. The question becomes, what is happening within the socket? Is the socket graft preventing ridge collapse or providing additional bone to compensate for the natural bony resorption process? Studies by Araujo and Lindhe answered this question. The authors looked at the differences in healing of extraction sockets grafted with xenograft collagen versus no graft. The authors found that the presence of a graft failed to inhibit the processes of remodeling that took place in the socket walls following tooth extraction. However, the socket grafts acted as scaffolds and promoted new bone formation, particularly in the cortical region of the extraction sites. Because of this, the bony dimensions of the ridge were better maintained, which means better ridge profile when compared to sockets that were not grafted. The authors concluded that “the placement of a biomaterial in an extraction socket may promote bone modeling and compensate, at least temporarily, for marginal ridge contraction.” ²⁰

4. Preoperative Evaluation of Alveolar Ridge

Presurgical radiographic evaluation aims at obtaining measurements of bone dimensions and locating important anatomical landmarks, such as the maxillary sinus and the inferior alveolar nerve. ²¹ Various radiographic approaches, such as panoramic, periapical, occlusal, cephalometric, and tomographic radiographs have been used for assessment of bone dimensions. ²² However, two dimensional assessment was found to provide little information of bone thickness at different points of the alveolar ridge. ²³ Three dimensional radiographic analysis of alveolar ridge has become popular. It is especially valuable in cases of significant ridge atrophy, or for reconstructing long edentulous segments. Precise interpretation of the ridge morphology can be obtained from high resolution or helical CT scanners with specialized software for guiding dental implant placement. ²⁴ Furthermore, CT guided Stereolithographic templates, constructed based on the CT three dimensional data, have successfully been used as intraoperative guides for drilling and implant placement. ^{25, 26, 27}.

5. Classifications of Alveolar Ridge

A. In 1963, Atwood described 6 classes of alveolar ridge atrophy ²⁸

1. Pre extraction normal bone.

2. Post extraction normal bone: after extraction and before resorption started.

3. High, well rounded, adequate in height and width.

4. Knife edge, adequate height, inadequate width.

5. Low, well rounded, inadequate height and Width.

6. Depressed ridge.

B. In 2004, Juodzbalys and Raustia, using panoramic x-ray, computerized tomography, and ridge mapping calipers classified alveolar ridge atrophy into 3 types ²⁹

Type I: Alveolar height is ≥ 10 mm and width is ≥ 6 mm and the vertical defect in the anterior region is ≤ 3 mm, which is optimal for implant placement.

Type IIA: The height is ≥ 10 mm and the width is 4-5 mm: narrow edentulous jaw dental segment

Type IIB: The height is 4-9 mm and the width is ≥ 6 mm.

Type IIC: The height is 4-9 mm and the width is 4-5 mm.

Type IID: The height is ≥ 10 mm and the width is ≥ 6 mm, the vertical cosmetic defect in an anterior region is > 3 mm from the crest of the alveolar bone to the necks of adjacent teeth.

Type III: The height is < 4 mm and the width is < 4 mm (too shallow and too narrow for implantation).

C. According to its density, alveolar bone has been classified into 4 types ³⁰

D-1 bone: Dense compacta; almost entirely composed of cortical bone, it is found in the anterior mandible, and this can withstand substantial loads because of its highly mineralized matrix.

D-2 bone: Porous compacta and coarse trabecular bone; it is commonly located in the posterior mandible and sometimes in anterior maxilla.

D-3 bone: Porous compacta and fine trabecular bone; found primarily in the anterior maxilla, it is more fragile than D1 and D2, and its bearing ability to load is reduced.

D-4 bone: Fine trabecular bone; most commonly found in long term edentulous posterior maxilla, it is characterized by extremely thin cortical bone and reduced density of cancellous bone; it is least suitable for implant placement and has failure rates as high as 35%.

6. Classification of Extraction Sockets

Since not all extraction sites are the same, Salama and Salama ³¹ as well as Elian et al ³² suggested extraction site classification schemes that were meant to be utilized in developing site specific treatment designs based on gingival margin level as well as the presence or absence of the labial and interproximal bone surrounding the compromised tooth to be extracted.

Tarnow et al ³³ and Salama et al ³⁴ demonstrated the direct relationship of the position of the interproximal bone surrounding a tooth or implant, respectively, to the location and shape of the overlying papilla. Where deficiencies existed in any of the criteria listed above, they would be classified as Type II or Type III sites, depending on the severity. ³⁵ For such compromised sites, surgical augmentation protocols ^{36, 37} and/or orthodontic site development ³¹ would be required to augment and reconstruct the lost hard and soft tissues prior to or at the time of implant placement. ^{38, 39, 40, 41} However, whenever the extraction socket is not compromised with an esthetically acceptable mid facial gingival margin position and a completely intact labial plate and interproximal bone levels a Type I classification is rendered, demanding an emphasis on hard and soft tissue preservation protocols.

A. Socket Classification by Salama and Salama. 1993 ³¹

Type 1 extraction site

The Type 1 site is an incipient defect environment with a good regenerative potential and an acceptable esthetic prognosis as follows:

1. The environment is dominated by the four wall socket or the incipient three wall dehiscence type defect (5 mm or less in the apicocoronal direction). The osseous crests lie in the coronal third of the root to be extracted.

2. Adequate bone is available (i.e. 4 to 6 mm) beyond the apex for initial stabilization of an implant

3. Osseous crestal topography is harmonious, permitting an acceptable discrepancy between the head of the fixture, in the extraction socket, and the necks of the adjacent teeth. Usually a 3 to 5 mm offset is best, because it allows an optimal emergence profile of the restoration from the fixture.

4. The labial plate of bone is adequate, and recession on the tooth to be extracted is manageable, or where esthetics is not paramount (i.e., in a patient with a low smile line or in posterior quadrants).

Type 1 extraction sites, such as the ones exhibited about fractured roots, are best suited for immediate implant placement utilizing the principles of guided tissue regeneration (GTR). The critical requirement of initial stabilization is most readily achievable at these sites. In addition, although the volume of the socket can be large, the potential for regeneration in that environment is also great

Type 2 extraction site

Type 2 site is a moderately compromised regenerative and esthetic environment:

1. A moderate defect environment is predominant, and it extends through the middle third of the root; this includes dehiscence of greater than 5 mm.

2. The discrepancy between the osseous crests of the remaining socket and the necks of adjacent teeth is substantial.

3. Recession is significant and loss of the labial plate of bone is moderate. This is especially critical in the anterior region of the mouth in a patient with a high smile line.

Type 3 extraction site

Type 3 site is a severely compromised environment in which immediate implant placement is not an option:

1. Vertical and buccolingual dimensions of bone are inadequate for placement and stabilization of immediate implants.

2. Recession is present and loss of the labial plate of bone is severe.

3. Severe circumferential and angular defects are present.

B. Socket Classification by Elian et al, 2000. ³²

Type I socket: Soft tissue and buccal plate of bone present which is ideal for immediate implant placement. If buccal plate of bone is more than 2mm and implant placement is not immediate, grafting may not be necessary.

Type II socket: Soft tissue is present but buccal plate of bone is missing. Bone grafting of socket is necessary with possible need for cell occlusive membrane. Delayed placement of implant may be recommended especially in esthetic areas.

Type III socket: Both soft tissue and buccal plate of bone are missing. Ridge augmentation procedures including bone grafting with space maintaining membranes are necessary and delayed placement of an implant is recommended.

C. Socket Classfication by Edgard El Chaar et al 2016. ⁴²

Grade I

Grade I sockets are the most ideal. Following tooth extraction, a socket that has an intact buccal plate, adequate interproximal bone, and satisfactory apical topography will fall into this category. In this classification, an intact buccal plate is defined as having no fissures or dehiscences and less than 25% loss of height (Figure 3 & Figure 4). This percentage of buccal plate loss was selected as the cut-off based on the average root length of single-rooted teeth, which is 14.2 mm, ⁴³ and the amount of buccal plate that can be reliably regenerated during immediate implant placement. Adequate apical topography is defined as enough bone present apical to the extraction site to allow for engagement of 3 mm to 4 mm of a properly positioned immediate dental implant (Figure 2). ^{44, 45} Adequate interproximal bone is defined as no or mild (up to 2 mm) periodontal bone loss on the adjacent teeth as to allow for support of the interproximal soft tissue and to enable placement of the platform of an immediate implant in the proper apical-coronal position relative to the adjacent teeth while still being bordered by bony walls on the mesial and distal aspects (Figure 5). ⁴⁶

Grade I extraction sockets are treated with immediate implant placement with or without provisionalization depending on implant stability and the remaining gap between the implant and socket walls to be grafted.

Grade II

Grade II sockets are differentiated from Grade I by the amount and quality of the remaining buccal plate. A Grade II socket has a fissure, dehiscence, or deficiency of the buccal plate totaling a 25% to 50% loss. Like Grade I sockets, they have adequate interproximal bone and apical topography (Figure 3, Figure 4, & Figure 5).

For a patient with a thick biotype, an immediate implant can be placed in a Grade II extraction socket. The implant should not be temporized, and the remaining defect surrounding the implant should be grafted and contained by a barrier membrane. For a patient with a thin biotype, delayed implant placement with site preservation is recommended. If the extraction site is located in the maxilla, the rotated pedicle palatal connective tissue flap technique should be used to enhance the thin soft tissue profile and to allow for a more esthetic outcome following delayed implant placement. ⁴⁷ In this case, the location of the extraction site must be considered because if it is in the maxilla, keratinized tissue can easily be borrowed through rotated pedicle grafting to increase tissue. ⁴⁸ If the extraction socket is in the mandible, site preservation with delayed implant placement is recommended. This more conservative approach is recommended because of the characteristics of a thin biotype and its susceptibility to recession during surgical manipulation and mechanical injury. ^{47, 49}

Discrepancies in the mucogingival line that may result from primary closure in the area of an extraction socket or any noted deficiencies in the soft tissue can be corrected during implant uncovery.

Grade III

Grade III sockets are the most deficient and include any socket with inadequate apical topography, insufficient interproximal bone, or more than 50% loss of buccal plate. Inadequate apical topography is defined as not enough bone present apical to the extraction site to allow for implant placement and may be the result of bone loss caused by periapical lesions or concavities due to existing anatomy of the alveolus (Figure 3 &Figure 4). Insufficient interproximal bone is defined as moderate to severe periodontal bone loss greater than 2 mm on one or both of the adjacent teeth.

Grade III sockets are further divided into those with inadequate apical topography and those that have interproximal bone loss with or without buccal plate loss. If the socket is Grade III due to inadequate apical topography, the extraction socket should be treated with a ridge augmentation type of guided bone regeneration (GBR) to correct the inadequate apical topography and delayed implant placement.

In a Grade III extraction socket with adequate apical topography and interproximal bone loss regardless of biotype, the protocol will be the same as for a Grade II with thin biotype which includes, delayed implant placement with site preservation. If the extraction site is located in the maxilla, the rotated pedicle palatal connective tissue flap technique should be used; if the extraction socket is located in the mandible, site preservation with delayed implant placement is recommended.

7. Bone Graft Materials Used in Socket Preservation

The purpose of extraction socket preservation is to preserve the original alveolar dimensional contours by limiting the natural post extraction resorptive process. ⁵⁰ There are many types of regenerative material available, and choosing the correct material should be case specific. Selection of the type of regenerative material and/or membrane used during socket preservation depends largely upon alveolar bone defect morphology. A general rule of thumb is that the less space maintaining a defect is, the greater the osteogenic and space maintaining potential your graft material should have. For example, Fugazzotto suggested that in the presence of a space maintaining osseous defect, with intact cortical plates, the graft material should be covered by an absorbable membrane. ⁵¹ However, he added that when grafting non space maintaining defects, generally, the use of titanium reinforced membranes over particulate graft material would have superior results compared to bioabsorbable membranes. ⁵¹

In order to choose the appropriate graft material, a complete evaluation of the socket’s space maintaining ability must be performed prior to choosing the correct graft and membrane materials. A number of bone grafting materials are available for use in site preservation. These fall into one of four categories: autogenous bone grafts, allogenous bone grafts, xenogenous bone grafts, and alloplasts. Depending on which of these is used, the process can be osteoconductive, osteopromoting, osteoinductive, or one of osteogenesis.

Currently, stem cell research is being conducted on the use of stem cells for bone grafting. These stem cells could be autologous or allogenous in origin. This technique may result in the availability of stem cell based bone grafts for localized ridge preservation as well as ridge augmentation and craniofacial regeneration in the future. ^{52, 53}

8. Guided Tissue Regeneration Used in Socket Preservation

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a term that describes not only alveolar bone regeneration but also the regeneration of the periodontium, including cementum and periodontal ligament; whereas the term guided bone regeneration (GBR) applies only to bone regeneration. ⁵⁴ The model of guided bone regeneration was first used in 1959 in a canine spinal fusion ⁵⁵ later it was attempted in alveolar reconstruction. ^{56, 57} Both techniques share the same principles of using a barrier membrane to maintain the space underneath and to prevent soft tissue in growth that inhibits bone regeneration. ⁵⁸

A wide range of tissue compatible, resorbable and non resorbable, membrane materials have been used. Non resorbable membranes, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), ⁵⁹ titanium reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene, ⁶⁰ and titanium mesh, have proved to maximize the graft space volume and given promising results. ^{61, 62} However, the technique has a significant rate of complications, reported to be 20%-50%, including infection, tissue inflammation, and healing deficiency. ^{63, 64}

Complications associated with the use of non resorbable membranes highlight the need to use bioresorbable membranes having different chemical and biologic properties. ^{62, 64} Major concerns with the use of resorbable membranes include that they are collapsible and lack mechanical stability, requiring the use of a graft material to maintain the space underneath. ⁶⁵ Cross linked collagen based membranes of porcine origin may bring forth an immune response, ⁶⁶ and non-cross linked membranes have a high degradation rate. ⁶⁷

Synthetic resorbable membranes, such as polyglycolic and trimethylene carbonate are better in this regard, ^{68, 69} although foreign body reaction may also be initiated by the degrading products of these materials. ⁷⁰ In other studies, hydrogel made of polyethylene glycol was successfully used as barrier membrane. ⁷¹

9. Biological Mediators Used in Socket Preservation

Using growth factors has received more attention for treatment of atrophic ridges. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which are member of transforming growth factor superfamily, have the ability to stimulate the osteogenic cascade, ⁷² with BMP-2 and -7 showing very promising results for intraoral applications. ⁷³

BMP-2 was used safely for intraoral ridge preservation ^{74, 75} and sinus lift augmentation. ⁷⁶ Platelet derived growth factor and insulin like growth factor 1 were effectively used intraorally with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), ⁷⁷ bone blocks, ⁷⁸ and tricalcium phosphate. ⁷⁹ Addition of platelet rich plasma to the graft material proved to be successful to accelerate bone formation. ⁸⁰

10. Treatment of Atrophic Ridge

I-Correction of vertical atrophy

1. Sinus floor elevation (sinus lift with bone grafting)

This procedure is used to increase the height of atrophied maxillary ridge, typically limited to the molar and premolar regions. The sinus should show no sign of pathology preoperatively. ⁸¹ Sinus lift grafting and implant placement can be done in either 1 or 2 steps, depending on the amount of available bone. Simultaneous grafting and implant placement can be done if there is a height of 5 mm intact alveolar bone to provide adequate mechanical support during implant healing. ⁸¹ if the available host bone height is 5 mm, a healing period of 4-6 months should be allowed for graft healing before implant placement. ⁸²

Subantral augmentation can be done using autogenous bone from intra and extra oral sites. ^{83, 84, 85} However, donor site morbidity and the need for general anesthesia have induced the search for non-autogenous sources. ⁸⁶

Demineralized freeze dried cortical bone has been tried as substitute for autogenous grafts in sinus lift. ⁸⁷ However, this type of allograft has shown significant resorption. ⁸⁸

Alloplastic materials, such as hydroxyapatite, beta-tricalcium phosphate, ⁸⁹ and BMPs and other bone specific growth factors, ^{90, 91} as well as bovine bone xenografts, ⁹² have been used with promising results. Sinus floor grafting may be used with a barrier membrane, which has been reported to enhance implant success. ⁹³ On the other hand, sinus augmentation may compromise sinus drainage through perforation of the sinus lining ⁹⁴ and reduction of the size of maxillary antrum, leading to chronic sinusitis. ⁹⁵ Sinus augmentation sometimes contributes to the development of sinus cysts. ⁹⁶

2. Distraction osteogenesis

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is the process of new bone formation between bone segments that are gradually separated by incremental traction. ⁹⁷ Craniofacial DO has been tested in experimental animals. ⁹⁸ Clinically, it has been used for elongation of the mandible, ^{99, 100} correction of mid face hypoplasia, ¹⁰¹ and reconstruction of defects of the mandible after tumor resection. ^{102, 103} In alveolar ridge augmentation, DO has been tested both experimentally ¹⁰⁴ and clinically. ^{101, 105} This technique could improve the amount of both hard and soft tissue in cases of severe atrophy. ^{105, 106} Alveolar DO has been used more frequently to increase alveolar bone height ^{105, 107, 108} than to increase its thickness. ^{107, 108}

The technique is simple to perform with minimal trauma and does not require a donor site. Implants could be placed 4-8 weeks after surgery, a relatively short time compared with graft healing. ¹⁰⁹ New bone created by distraction in some studies showed 24% mineralization at the end of active distraction and 78% at the end of the retention period, gradually maturing into stable lamellar bone. ^{105, 110}

Distraction systems currently used for vertical DO of alveolar bone have 3 forms:

1. Extraossous alveolar distraction ^{12, 106, 111, 112} e.g. The track distractor by Martin (Tuttlingen, Germany)

2. Intraossous alveolar distraction ^{101, 113, 114, 115} e.g. Lead System (Leibinger).

3. Distraction implant ^{110, 116}

Placement of implants into distraction regenerate has been carried out successfully. However, it typically required at least 3 surgical procedures: distraction device application, removal, and implant insertion. ^{110, 117} The direction of vertical distraction is opposite to that of the occlusal forces, which may be the main reason for this problem. The main concern of the DO technique is the stability of the regenerate and its resorption rate. ¹⁰⁵ Other complications include infection, wound dehiscence, bleeding, nerve injury, adjacent tooth damage, early or delayed consolidation, undesirable transport disk movement, and fracture of transport disk of bone owing to drilling, screwing, or fixation of the device itself. Another limitation of vertical alveolar distraction is the high incidence of relapse. ¹¹⁸

II-Correction of horizontal alveolar atrophy

Alveolar ridge widening before implant placement is indicated in cases of crest thickness of 4 mm. Several techniques have been described. ¹¹⁹ These include: -

A-Acute horizontal widening

1. Osteotome technique

This technique depends on the viscoelastic properties of the existing bone, and therefore it would be more applicable in the maxilla, which has soft spongiosa that makes it more elastic. ^{80, 120, 121} An ultrathin osteotome, or a series of increasingly thicker osteotomes, is used to surgically split the 2 cortices. ^{107, 122} This technique eliminates heat generation produced by drilling and conserves osseous tissue, improving bone density. ⁸⁰ However, the use of excessive force in the buccal cortex of the mandible or extremely thin maxillary alveolus that doesn’t have spongiosa may lead to unintended fractures of the buccal cortex.

2. Ridge widening using punch-tip pilots or implant analog

This procedure expands the alveolar ridge by using successive wedging of smooth surface implant analog that is inserted in between the 2 surgically split cortices and driven in by circular motion. ¹²³ Another way of expanding the alveolus is by successive insertion of 3 increasing diameter punch-tip pilots. ¹²⁴ Finally, when the desired size is attained, the implant is tapped into place and covered with guided bone regeneration membrane. ^{123, 124}

3. Segmental split-ridge procedure

This procedure involves the creation of a crestal groove along the edentulous segment, ending within 2 mm of the line angle of the bordering teeth. Then, 2 vertical monocortical osteotomies are carried out at each end and the buccal cortex is separated with the use of a chisel. The implant bed is prepared through the osteotomy and in the basal bone with traditional drills. Once the implants are in place, the facial and palatal plates of bone are compressed back and secured with thin ligature wire passing through both plates. The remaining space is then packed with demineralized freezed dried bone allograft mixed with the patient’s own blood. ¹²⁵

4. Ridge splitting and anterior maxillary osteoplasty with immediate implant placement

In this procedure, the anterior maxilla is split by horseshoe osteotomy extending from the crest of alveolar ridge into the floor of nose. The buccal cortex is then separated from the palatal cortex and advanced to increase ridge thickness. ¹²⁶ In another technique, the whole length of the edentulous alveolar maxillary ridge is split. ¹¹⁹ In both cases, the apical part of the implant bed is prepared and implants are immediately inserted. Bone grafts are packed into the spaces in between the implants and left to heal. ^{119, 127}

B- Le Fort I osteotomy

Classic Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy is a versatile procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery, but it has been rarely described for correction of malocclusion and vertical maxillary deficiency because of instability and tendency to major relapse. ^{128, 129} In contrast, the procedure has shown more stable results in maxillary setback and impaction movements. ¹³⁰ Relapse could be eliminated either by using mini plates instead of wire fixation ¹³¹ or by insertion of bone grafting material in the gap between the lowered maxilla and the skull. ¹³² Modified osteotomy designs that retain bony contact during the healing process have also been tried successfully. ^{132, 133}

C- Horizontal gradual distraction

Transverse alveolar distraction devices include the following: -

1. Laster crest device

This device consists of two parallel metal arches; each has one horizontal plate and two vertical sharp blades that are inserted into the alveolar crest. The two horizontal plates are connected together by two sliding pins and two laterally positioned activation screws. Activation gradually separates the two arches, thereby expanding the alveolar crest. To install the device, a round bur is used to create a furrow on the alveolar crest. Then 2-10 mm vertical cuts are made on the buccal cortex and the buccal plate is greenstick fractured (without separation) with the use of an osteotome. The distractor is then tapped into place. After a 1 week latency period, distraction is started at a rate of 0.4 mm/day until the desired thickness is reached. ¹¹⁵

2. Multidirectional osteodistraction device

This tooth-supported device can provide simultaneous vertical and horizontal distraction if needed. Bicortical bone segment is separated from the alveolar ridge by one horizontal and two vertical osteotomies. Then, intraosseous anchor abutments are inserted into the bone segment, anchored against the basal bone. Activation of the device results in controlled vertical and horizontal movement of the bone segment relative to the surrounding teeth onto which the device is anchored. ¹¹⁵

3. Extension crest device

This device consists of two arms that are apically hinged together and crestally connected by a threaded pin that passes transversely through one arm to abut against the other. Activation of the screw pushes the crestal ends of 1 arm away from the other around the apical hinge. The device is installed vertically through the alveolar crest after splitting the buccal cortex from the lingual by two vertical osteotomies connected by a horizontal crestal osteotomy. The device can be used to gain immediate space in the highly viscoelastic maxillary bone or used as a traditional distractor with a rate of 1 mm/day in the mandible. ¹³⁴

D- Tent-pole grafting technique

A novel approach has been introduced using dental implants, titanium screws, or cortical bone, to create a tenting effect of the periosteum and soft tissue and was shown to maintain graft volume This approach was reported to be very successful in the treatment of severely atrophied mandibles and maxillas in combination with iliac crest bone grafting or human mineralized allograft. ^{135, 136, 137}

Titanium mesh with iliac crest graft was also reported to be successful in the treatment of atrophied ridges but with a high rate of mesh exposure that may compromise graft volume. ¹³⁸

11. Alveolar socket preservation (ASP)

Different techniques for alveolar socket preservation were used including: -

A. The use of biomaterials Graft

For ASP bone grafts or barriers (membranes) are used separately or in many cases they are used together. ^{7, 18, 69, 136, 137, 138, 139}

The possible beneficial effect of using grafting procedures or guided bone regeneration to preserve the ridge after tooth extraction has been tested in both animal and human studies. ^{20, 140} The socket is immediately filled after tooth extraction with bone graft ¹⁴¹.

The application of regenerative biomaterials, such as bone autografts, allografts, guided tissue regeneration procedures, xenografts and most recently, growth factors, has been evaluated with varying degrees of success to maintain the anatomical dimensions of the alveolar ridge after tooth extraction. Studies suggested that the placement of the xenograft counteracted the ridge contraction in the bucolingual dimension, yet grafting with autogenous bone did not significantly alter the ridge resorptive process. ¹⁴²

Another systematic review evaluated the efficacy of these therapies in non-molar alveolar regions suggesting that these techniques may not prevent the physiological resorptive bone processes after tooth extraction, although they may aid in reducing the resulting bone dimensional changes. ¹⁴²

Vignoletti et al reported in a systemic review that a higher level of evidence was obtained with the studies of barriers; however, their statistical significance gives rise to doubts, because the barriers alone produced better clinical results than grafts with barriers or grafts alone. It could be argued that the protective, space making effect of the barriers on the blood clot inside the socket and on the remaining bone walls outside the socket is responsible; i.e., the barrier, acting as a shield, could enhance the physiologic healing process, minimizing bone loss and maximizing bone repair, with a resulting net effect of improvement versus untreated extraction sockets in terms of bone height and width. ¹⁴³

B. Flap Management

Many studies elevated buccal and lingual mucoperiosteal flaps to perform the tooth extraction and achieved primary closure. Flapless extraction of the teeth was performed in several studies with another studies aiming to primary closure through a soft tissue autograft. ^{7, 18, 69, 136, 137, 138, 139}.

It could be argued that socket preservation techniques are effective regardless of whether primary flap closure is achieved; it could be speculated that the influence of releasing incisions on wound healing of both soft and hard tissues would at least slightly modify the clinical outcome.

The possible beneficial effect of a flapless surgery during tooth extraction for limiting the resorptive process of the alveolar crest has been investigated in preclinical models by comparing the outcomes with a flapped conventional surgery. Although some studies have shown slightly less pronounced bone remodelling of the alveolar ridge after flapless tooth extraction, ^{144, 145} other studies have failed to encounter significant differences between flapped and flapless tooth extractions. ^{3, 140}

C. The use of implant

Implants could be either placed after extraction or at the time of extraction. Several studies ^{7, 147, 151} reported that implant placement in the previous sockets were successful, but no differences between the ASP and untreated sites were revealed. The use of endosseous implants for partial or complete dental restoration has gained popularity in the past few decades, with reliable long term stability. ¹⁵² Functional loading of osseointegrated implants has been shown to substantially reduce bone loss and even promote bone growth in edentulous jaw segments. ¹⁵³

Several studies on implant placement after tooth extraction reported the placement of implants after 3 and >7 months without providing any details on further soft or hard tissues augmentation procedures. ^{7, 136, 138, 147, 151} Serino et al. reported the placement of dental implants after 3 and 6months of healing respectively, specifying that all implants achieved good primary stability in both test and control groups. ¹⁵⁴ In one study implants were inserted after 4 months of healing and statistically significant differences were reported in favor of the test group 1 with absorbable collagen sponge and 1.50 mg/ml recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (ACS+ 1.50 mg/ml rhBMP-2) when compared to test group 2 (ACS+0.75 mg/ml rhBMP-2) and the control treatment, in regards to the number of secondary augmentation surgeries needed, although no further details were provided in regards to the number and type of these procedures. In the test 1 sites, 56.25% demonstrated adequate bone volume for implant placement, whereas the corresponding figures in test 2 and control groups were 25% and 12.5%respectively. ⁶⁹

12. Factors Affecting Socket Preservation Technique Outcome

A- Healing time

The optimal timing of reentry following ASP is determined by the implant insertion. Since the volume of the alveolar ridge is gradually decreasing, while the quality of the newly formed tissue is gradually increasing during the post extraction remodeling the implant placement could be considered as early as possible, but as late as necessary, in order to maintain alveolar ridge volume, as well as to achieve complete epithelial seal with some extent of osseous fill. The healing periods of the trials varied considerably from1-9 months. ^{3, 155}

B-Antimicrobials

Improvement of clinical parameters was demonstrated as a result of regular rinsing with chlorhexidine following tooth extraction. In a study subjects were prescribed various types of antibiotics and instructed to rinse with chlorhexidine for 2 to 3 weeks, yet no conclusion could be drawn on the necessity or benefit of employment of antibiotics/antimicrobials following ASP. ¹⁵⁶

C-Smoking

Smoking is associated with delayed socket healing and increased reduction in post extraction alveolar width. ¹⁵⁷ Several studies were conducted included smokers and the half of the studies did not report on smoking as an exclusion factor, thus any conclusions about the impact of this well recognized risk factor for impaired healing are difficult to draw. ^{7, 158}

D-Periodontal treatment/health

Studies included patients whose periodontal treatment was carried out prior to the ASP. ^{18, 151, 150} ASP resulted in statistically significant difference between tests and controls in clinical and in histological parameters. ³⁰ In addition, in the studies where periodontitis was present, but periodontal treatment was not reported, no statistically significant histological differences were demonstrated. ^{150, 158, 159} This suggests that treated periodontitis may not hinder the success of ASP.

References