Shield the socket: Procedure, case report and classification

The extraction of a tooth leads to a cascade of events which results in resorption of the alveolar bone around the socket. The buccal bone loss that occurs postextraction leads to vertical and horizontal bone loss. It requires complex hard and soft-tissue reconstruction to achieve esthetically pleasing results in such cases. In the socket-shield technique (SST) the root is bisected, and the buccal two-third of the root is preserved in the socket so that the periodontium along with the bundle bone and the buccal bone remains intact. A classification of SST technique is proposed depending on the position of the shield in the socket. This classification is required so as to help in understanding the preparation design and the role of shield and in maximizing the usage of the shield to achieve best possible esthetics in immediate implant placement sites.