Soft Tissue Contour and Radiographic Evaluation of Ridge Preservation Using Different Techniques

Soft tissue contour and radiographic evaluation of alveolar ridge preservation using different techniques

Background:

Following tooth extraction, the alveolar ridge undergoes an inevitable remodeling process which influences future implant therapy or prosthetic rehabilitation in the edentulous area. In an attempt to attenuate the loss of hard and soft tissue after tooth loss, alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) immediately after complete tooth extraction could minimize the need for ancillary ridge augmentation or soft tissue grafting. Different techniques and barrier membranes has been proposed to achieve the sealing of extraction socket.

Aim:

To investigate the effect of different techniques and barrier membranes for the soft tissue contour and morphological change of alveolar ridge after ARP

Methods:

The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial and recruited patients, who require ARP for the purpose of implant placement or prosthodontic rehabilitation. After the tooth extraction, patients were randomly allocated to one of the following groups: ridge preservation with a xenogeneic bone substitute and (a) spontaneous healing (control), (b) covered with a free palatal graft, (c) or covered with pedical palatal graft, (d) covered with a collagen membrane, (e) covered with a non-resorbable high-density polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks following tooth extraction and ARP, clinical profilometric and radiographic evaluations were performed to analyze the change of hard and soft tissue contour. Moreover, and the need for additional guided bone regeneration (GBR) or soft tissue augmentation were assessed prior implants or fixed prosthesis placement.