Instrument for extraction socket measurement in immediate implant installation.

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Oral Surgery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Immediate dental implant placement offers benefits but requires precise planning.
• Assessing extraction socket dimensions is crucial for achieving primary implant stability.
• Lack of bone can compromise the success of immediate implantations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an instrument and computer program for measuring extraction sockets.
• To aid in planning immediate tooth replacement with screw-shaped dental implants.
• To evaluate the utility of these tools in borderline cases with insufficient bone.

Main Methods:

• Ten Osteofix Dental Implants were placed in nine patients undergoing immediate replacement.
• A novel instrument measured extraction sockets at six defined points.
• A computer program calculated the bone-to-implant contact area, with a 30% threshold for stability.
• Guided bone regeneration utilized deproteinized bovine bone mineral and collagen membranes.

Main Results:

• The mean area of no bone-to-implant contact was 31% (SD 9%), ranging from 11-40%.
• Immediate replacement was abandoned if less than 30% bone contact was predicted.
• After 6 months, a statistically significant defect reduction of 90% (SD 7%) was observed.
• The developed instrument and program proved useful in borderline cases.

Conclusions:

• The developed instrument and computer program are valuable tools for extraction socket measurement.
• These tools assist in planning immediate dental implantations, especially in cases with limited bone.
• The study highlights the importance of assessing bone availability for achieving sufficient primary implant stability.