The prevention of localized ridge deformities using guided tissue regeneration.

Healing of extraction sockets where the buccal plate of bone has been destroyed often results in localized ridge deformities. This is most likely due to the ingrowth of extraskeletal connective tissue into the space originally occupied by the tooth which then fills with a combination of bone and soft tissue. Techniques for managing these defects have been described, but it would be preferable to prevent them from occurring at all. Using the principles of guided tissue regeneration, a surgical technique is described that can be applied to post-extraction sites that are deficient in alveolar bone thereby preventing localized ridge deformities. Representative cases are presented illustrating the technique.