title: Submergence of vital roots for the preservation of residual ridge: a clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the value of submerging vital roots for the preservation of the residual ridge.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample consisted of 10 patients whose bone height on both submerged and control sites was measured with the help of OPG tracings and the use of grids, from the immediate post-operative period to 3 months, 6 months and 9 months post-operatively. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test and one-way ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The amount of bone loss was significantly greater in the control area in comparison to the submerged area from the immediate post-operative period to 3 months, 6 months and 9 months post-operatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the retained roots do not prevent the resorption of residual ridge, they aid in decreasing the resorptive pattern, thereby preserving the residual ridge to some extent. This may be an expedient and inexpensive way to preserve residual ridge, requiring minimal specialised training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, ITS Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Greater Noida, India. drshaarmanil@gmail.com
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Sukhvinder Singh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Oberoi
authors.forename: Sudhanshu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saxena
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000543:Alveoloplasty / Q000379:methods*; D003824:Denture, Complete; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000379:methods; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000601:surgery*