Papilla preservation between two implants: a modified socket-shield technique to maintain the scalloped anatomy? A case report

Immediate Implants in the Aesthetic Zone: Is Socket Shield Technique a Predictable Treatment Option? A Narrative Review

(1) Background. Dental implant placement in the anterior region requires extreme precision due to relatively high aesthetic demand. This narrative review aimed to analyse some of the available clinical studies of the socket-shield technique and determine its viability for dental implant survival/success and complication rates. (2) Methods. An electronic search for publications was performed using the Cochrane, PubMed-MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. All electronic searches included human clinical and animal studies and were performed by three independent examiners. (3) Results. A total of 1383 records were identified with the initial search strategies, but only 25 full texts + five abstracts clinical studies were kept after the recruitment criteria screening. The technical details, advantages, and limitations of the techniques were illustrated. (4) Conclusion. Within the limitations of the present review, it would be merely justified that immediate dental implant placement in conjunction with the socket-shield technique can be a promising strategy for dental implant therapy.

A Double Case: Socket Shield and Pontic Shield Techniques on Aesthetic Zone

When a tooth is extracted, a bone remodeling of the alveolar process occurs irretrievably. Various techniques have emerged over time to maintain the thickness of the bone crest in fixed prosthetics on teeth and implants. The socket shield and pontic shield techniques are aimed at minimizing buccal bone remodeling, especially in the aesthetic area. We present a case of an aesthetic sector rehabilitated with partial fixed denture using the socket shield and pontic shield techniques.

The socket-shield technique: a critical literature review

Introduction

Dental implants have become a standard treatment in the replacement of missing teeth. After tooth extraction and implant placement, resorption of buccal bundle bone can pose a significant complication with often very negative cosmetic impacts. Studies have shown that if the dental root remains in the alveolar process, bundle bone resorption is very minimal. However, to date, the deliberate retention of roots to preserve bone has not been routinely used in dental implantology.

Material and methods

This study aims to collect and evaluate the present knowledge with regard to the socket-shield technique as described by Hurzeler et al. (J Clin Periodontol 37(9):855-62, 2010). A PubMed database search (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) was conducted to identify relevant publication.

Results

The initial database search returned 229 results. After screening the abstracts, 13 articles were downloaded and further scrutinised. Twelve studies were found to meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Conclusion

Whilst the socket-shield technique potentially offers promising outcomes, reducing the need for invasive bone grafts around implants in the aesthetic zone, clinical data to support this is very limited. The limited data available is compromised by a lack of well-designed prospective randomised controlled studies. The existing case reports are of very limited scientific value. Retrospective studies exist in limited numbers but are of inconsistent design. At this stage, it is unclear whether the socket-shield technique will provide a stable long-time outcome.

[Comparison of clinical effects of a modified socket shield technique and the conventional immediate implant placement]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical effects of a modified socket shield technique (SST) and the conventional immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with one hopeless upper incisor were consecutively enrolled in this study. All patients were scheduled for immediate implant placement. Twelve patients underwent a modified SST (experimental group) whereas the others underwent conventional procedures (control group). Radiographic and clinical data were obtained preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and 12 months after surgery. The success rate of the implants, the pink esthetic score (PES) and patient satisfaction were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 21.0 software.

RESULTS

One year after operation, the success rate of the implants was 100% in both groups. The PES and patient satisfaction of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The buccal bone plate resorbed less in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The modified SST is advantageous over the conventional immediate implant placement in terms of buccal bone and soft tissue maintenance.

The Root Membrane Technique: Human Histologic Evidence after Five Years of Function

Background

The "root membrane" (RM) is a technique that has become popular among implantologists for placement of immediate implants in the anterior maxilla.

Purpose

To present histologic evidence of an immediate implant placed in the human anterior maxilla, according to the RM technique, and retrieved after five years.

Methods

A fixture, along with the surrounding tissues, was retrieved from the anterior maxilla of a 68-year-old patient, who had been treated five years earlier with immediate implant placement and RM technique. The specimen was processed for histologic/histomorphometric evaluation.

Results

The buccal bone plate was maintained without any resorption; a healthy periodontal ligament was evidenced. The implant showed osseointegration, with a high percentage of bone-to-implant contact (BIC = 76.2%). With regard to the space between the RM and the implant, the apical and medial thirds were filled with compact, mature bone; the coronal third was colonized by noninfiltrated connective tissue.

Conclusions

The RM technique appears to be effective in preventing bone resorption of the buccal bone plate of the human anterior maxilla, five years after the placement of an immediate implant.