Immediate Implant Placement Using the Socket Shield Technique in Maxillary Esthetic Zone

Evaluation of Immediate Implant Placement Using the Socket Shield Technique in Maxillary Esthetic Zone (Clinical and Radiographic Study)

Immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone is an approach that helps preserve soft and hard tissue architecture. However, post extraction bone resorption is still a significant challenge. The socket shield technique (SST) has emerged as a promising way for preserving the buccal plate, potentially improving implant stability and reducing radiographic bone loss. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the socket shield technique in the maxillary esthetic zone by assessing implant stability, radiographic bone loss as well as esthetic outcome over a specified follow-up period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a non-restorable maxillary tooth in the aesthetic zone indicated for extraction and subsequent immediate implant placement.
• Patients with extraction socket Type I.
• A good standard of oral hygiene.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with extraction socket Type II or III, with defect in the buccal plate.
• Absence of at least 2 mm bone apical to the extraction socket, necessary to obtain adequate primary stability for the implant assessed by pre-operative radiographic evaluation.
• The presence of any local factor that may interfere with extraction as tooth ankylosis.
• Patients with deciduous teeth.
• Patients with bruxism
• Heavy smokers.
• Systemic conditions that are considered as a contraindication for placement of implant or those that may interfere with wound healing and immunocompromised conditions and uncontrolled autoimmune diseases.
• History of oral or intravenous bisphosphonate therapy or any treatments with other medications that may interfere with bone metabolism within the past 12 months.
• Patients receiving radiotherapy or chemotheraphy.
• Patient with active infection or chronic infection with severe bone loss.