Peri-implant tissue healing in implant placed in post-extraction sockets of maxillary premolars

The aim of this study was the clinical and radiographic evaluation of peri-implant tissues healing associated with two-stage implants performed with one-stage surgery and placed into post-extraction sockets of maxillary premolars.

Ten natural tapered submerged titanium implants with double acid-etched surface were installed in post-extraction sockets of maxillary premolars showing no bone dehiscence or fenestrations. Implants were selected according to the greatest dimension compatible to vertical and horizontal diameters of the post-extraction sockets. Peri-implant defects showing more than 2 mm of distance between the marginal palatal bone and the implant margin, were not treated with a regenerative procedure but with a bone swaging technique by means of piezoelectric surgery. At 16 weeks osteointegration of implants was examined with a clinical and standardized radiographic evaluation.

All patients showed good clinical healing without any complication. At 16 weeks all implants, either those with reduced marginal defect or those with modified crestal bone profile, were osteointegrated.

The use of two-stage implants performed with one-stage surgery in 4 walls post-extraction sockets of maxillary premolars, seems to allow osteointegration both in reduced peri-implant horizontal defects as well as in defects larger than 2 mm. Furthermore, these procedures seem to simplify the management of soft peri-implant tissues.