Socket-shield Technique and Immediate Implant Placement for Ridge Preservation: Case Report Series with 1-year Follow-up

Abstract

To evaluate the role of socket-shield technique for ridge preservation in immediate implant placement sites. The socket-shield technique seems to be beneficial for ridge preservation despite its insufficient documentation. In this case report series, implants were placed immediately after extracting a hopeless teeth using this technique and then were followed up for 1 year to document functional and esthetic outcomes. Cases description: Five patients presented with a non-restorable teeth were treated using the socket-shield protocol and immediate implant placement. Roots were dissected in a mesiodistal direction along the long axis down to the apex; a periotome was later used to detach the palatal fragment of the root, while keeping the buccal one. Following sequential osteotomy drilling, implants were placed. The gap between the implant and the shield was filled with a synthetic bone grafting material. A customized healing abutment with an S-shaped emergence profile was prepared to support a coronal emergence profile of the tooth. Patients had follow-up visits after 6 weeks and 5 or 6 months before proceeding to prosthetic reconstruction phase. Screw-retained porcelain fused to metal crowns and titanium abutments were inserted intraorally with 35 N cm torque and screw-access holes were restored. The socket-shield technique along with immediate implant placement is a minimally invasive approach that can preserve the hard and soft tissue contour of the ridge and can be implemented in areas of high esthetic demands for better esthetic outcomes.