Using the support immersion endoscope for socket assessment.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the indications, efficacy, and advantages of the support immersion endoscope (SIE) method for extraction socket assessment.


METHODS
Twelve patients (four women and eight men; mean age: 28 years) in need of extraction with implant placement participated in the study. The teeth extracted included eight upper central incisors and six upper lateral incisors. Extraction sockets were evaluated with a conventional extraction site evaluation (CESE) method alone or with CESE + SIE. CESE includes: visual evaluation; periodontal probing; ridge mapping with calipers, dental mirror, and orthopantomogram; and diagnostic wax-up.


RESULTS
CESE + SIE had significantly better accuracy in examining extraction socket labial plate vertical position, labial plate thickness, and bone quality compared to CESE alone. The results obtained from CESE assessment were inconsistent because of poor visualization.


CONCLUSIONS
The SIE can be used as an adjunct tool in assessing extraction socket morphology and bone conditions without flap elevation.
Juodzbalys
Gintaras
G
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. gintaras@stilusoptimus.lt
Bojarskas
Stasys
S
Kubilius
Ricardas
R
Wang
Hom-Lay
HL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D015921:Dental Implants; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D003765:Models, Dental; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D010517:Periodontics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*
D015921:Dental Implants