Instrument for extraction socket measurement in immediate implant installation

The aim of the present study was to create an instrument and a computer program for measurement of extraction sockets and for planning of the immediate replacement of teeth using screw-shaped dental implants. Ten titanium screw-shaped Osteofix Dental Implant System implants (Osteofix, Oulu, Finland) were immediately installed after extraction in nine patients, four women and five men (age 17-62 years). The measurements of fresh extraction sockets were taken at six points (mesio-buccal, buccal, disto-buccal, disto-lingual, lingual and mesio-lingual) using an instrument created by the author. The area of no contact between bone and dental implant was 11-40% (mean 31%, SD 9%), calculated by computer program. If less than 30% of the implant surface area would be in contact with the bone, immediate replacement was abandoned because sufficient primary stability could not be achieved. Guided bone regeneration was promoted by covering the implant and bone defect with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss, Geistlich AG, Wolhusen, Switzerland) and bioresorbable collagen membrane (Bio-Gide, Geistlich AG), fixed in place with resorbable pins (Resor Pin, Geistlich AG). After 6 months a considerable, statistically significant (P < 0.05) defect reduction of 90% (SD 7%) was noted. It was concluded that an instrument and a computer program created for extraction socket measurement are useful in some borderline cases when there is lack of bone and the success of one-stage implantation is doubtful.