A Novel Prognostic Socket Evaluation System to Predict Labial Bone Formation Around Immediate Implants: A Retrospective Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis

Palate implant placement in extraction sockets, with a minimum of 2 mm between the implant and the inner side of the facial socket wall, has been advised as a step towards a 3D restorative-driven posture. The buccal gap left by this palatal location is identified by the term "jumping gap" or "jumping distance," which describes the capacity of bone to fill the void and bridge the horizontal gap. The gap is made up of a vertical and horizontal component. Significantly, this gap denotes the future buccal bone that will directly contribute to the buccal contour and impact the soft tissue levels, thus influencing the implant's final appearance. Consequently, it is now considered desirable to have a bigger horizontal gap since more newly created buccal bone is predicted to occur in areas with larger horizontal gaps.