Socket preservation techniques: An overview with literature review

Abstract

Background: Alveolar bone undergoes residual ridge resorption after tooth extraction and eventually results in inadequate soft tissue and alveolus for dental implant rehabilitation. Therefore, to overcome this, socket preservation is performed immediately after tooth extraction to maximize bone formation within the socket. Aim: This review is aimed to give a brief overview of rationale, indications, surgical techniques, decision tree, and recent literature evidence regarding different techniques of socket preservation. Methods: An electronic search was performed in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar with the key words socket preservation, particulate bone grafts, membranes, and platelet-rich fibrin. The articles published from August 2008 to February 2022 were included for the search. Results: A total of 18 articles were considered for the review which included 8 meta-analysis, 7 systematic review, and 3 randomized control trial. The outcome parameters such as clinical, radiographical, and histomorphometrical ridge dimensions were analyzed. Conclusion: Socket preservation is one of the effective treatment options to prevent bone resorption following an atraumatic extraction with the use of appropriate biomaterials and membranes. The reliability and power of evidence is strong for the combined technique of using bone graft and membrane.