Effectiveness of Alveolar Preservation Techniques over Post-Extraction Socket Compared with and without Socket Preservation. Systematic Review of Literature

Abstract

Background: Loss and bone deformities of the alveolar ridge after a tooth extraction are some of the main challenges when fabricating a dental prosthesis. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of preservation techniques on alveolar height and width loss of alveolar contours compared with socket without preservation by a systematic review of the literature. Methods: The search included databases Medline, Cochrane, Embase, Ovid, SciELO, LILACS, ScienceDirect, Hinary, Wiley Online (up to July 2012), about papers on changes in alveolar height and thickness after a dental extraction with or without preservation treatment as bone grafts, collagen membranes, or growth factors. Results: 272 references were found of which 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. There was heterogeneity among studies (p= 0.00001) with statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.0001) favoring the experimental group (alveolar preservation) regarding alveolar ridge width and height after extraction. However, when comparing subgroups, the difference between intervention groups (intervention in both groups) did not turn out to be significant for width (p = 0.21) or for height (p = 0.96). Conclusions: Articles showed significant differences when comparing experimental groups with intervention and control groups without it, which indicates that performing a method of alveolar preservation after tooth extraction seems to positively influence the maintenance of the alveolar ridge.KEYWORDSalveolar bone loss; tooth extraction; alveolar ridge augmentation; biological dressings; boneresorption; dental implants