title: Using the support immersion endoscope for socket assessment.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. gintaras@stilusoptimus.lt
authors.forename: Gintaras
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Juodzbalys
authors.forename: Stasys
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bojarskas
authors.forename: Ricardas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kubilius
authors.forename: Hom-Lay
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants