2-Dimensional changes of the soft tissue profile of augmented and non-augmented human extraction sockets: a randomized pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study identified the soft tissue changes of the alveolar ridge at different time points within 12 weeks after tooth extraction with and without socket augmentation.


METHODS
In 38 patients with single tooth extractions, 40 sockets were augmented and 39 extraction sockets were not augmented. At 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks impressions were taken and casts digitized with a laser scanner. The horizontal and vertical changes were compared between augmented and non-augmented sites. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
The mean changes of augmented sockets were between 0.4 mm (2 weeks) and 0.8 mm (12 weeks). In non-augmented sockets changes of 0.7 mm (2 weeks) and of 1.0 mm (12 weeks) were demonstrated. The mean values differed significantly between the buccal and oral region (p < 0.01). Overall, there were significant differences of the mean dimensional changes regarding time (p < 0.01) and augmentation (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Augmented sockets showed less resorption within 4 weeks after extraction compared to non-augmented sockets. Non-augmented sockets showed a continuous dimensional loss with a great variation over 12 weeks whereas augmented sockets had the highest degree of resorption between 4 and 6 weeks. At 12 weeks a comparable resorption in augmented and non-augmented sockets was observed.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Tabea
T
Flügge
Katja
K
Nelson
Claudia
C
Nack
Andres
A
Stricker
Susanne
S
Nahles
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000517:prevention & control; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003765:Models, Dental; D010519:Periodontium / Q000473:pathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014584:User-Computer Interface
C077540:Bio-Oss; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D008903:Minerals
augmentation; bone resorption; digitization; extraction socket; implant placement; ridge preservation; virtual model