Immediate placement and restoration of implants in the esthetic zone: Trimodal Approach therapeutic options

Recently, a number of clinical and animal studies have been published suggesting the advantages of using immediate post-extraction implants under a flapless protocol, followed by the simultaneous placement of an implant-supported provisional restoration (Trimodal Approach [TA]). Indications and risk of complications of this therapeutic option have also been thoroughly discussed in the literature. Different protocols have been advocated in order to minimize the possible esthetic impact of the post-extraction remodeling of the bundle bone. These include a correct implant position, a flapless approach, the use of an immediate implant-supported provisional restoration, and filling the osseous gap with different biomaterials or thickening the mucosal compartment through soft-tissue grafts. These techniques have been mostly indicated when intact alveolar walls are present at the time of tooth extraction. In this article, the conventional TA is described. Thereafter, variations of this option are discussed, being the modification of the osseous compartment (TAO), and the modification of the mucosal and osseous compartments (TAOM).