Alveolar buccal bone maintenance after immediate implantation with a surgical flap approach: a study in dogs

This study evaluated buccal bone maintenance after implantation with a surgical flap approach immediately following tooth extraction in a dog model. Mandibular premolars of six dogs were extracted, and threaded implants of 4-mm diameter and 8-mm length with as-machined and dual acid-etched surfaces were placed through balanced procedures in the distal root extraction sockets with a full-thickness flap design. Submerged healing was allowed for 4 weeks, and following euthanization, bone-to-implant contact and buccal and lingual bone loss were evaluated. None of the parameters evaluated were indicative of an effect of implant surface in hindering bone loss around immediately placed implants.