Ridge preservation after tooth extraction.

BACKGROUND

Following tooth extraction, the alveolar ridge will undergo dimensional changes. This change may complicate the subsequent restorative procedure when oral implants are chosen. "Alveolar ridge preservation" has been assessed in various studies.

AIM: To evaluate the more recent studies on this topic and to explore new insights under this topic.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Animal studies and clinical studies have addressed different techniques.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Implants placed into the fresh extraction sockets do not prevent the resorption of the alveolar bone. Simultaneous guided bone regeneration could partially resolve alveolar bone resorption. The use of root-formed implants does not preserve alveolar ridges. Moreover, various bone substitutes have been tested: magnesium-enriched hydroxyapatite, human demineralized bone matrix, and deproteinized bovine bone mineral have been shown to be effective in ridge preservation. Applying the guided bone regeneration principle using bone substitutes together with a collagen membrane has shown clear effects on preserving alveolar ridge height as well as ridge width. Soft tissue grafts or primary closure did not show beneficial effect on preserving the alveolar bone.