Effect of socket-shield technique on alveolar ridge soft and hard tissue in dogs

To study the soft and hard tissue alterations of the alveolar ridge after socket-shield technique.

In four Beagle dogs, the following treatments (Tx) were randomly assigned to 32 extraction sockets: Tx1: blood clot; Tx2: Bio-Oss Collagen; Tx3: socket-shield technique and blood clot; Tx4: socket-shield technique and Bio-Oss Collagen. The width and height alterations of the buccal bone plate were calculated by CBCT scans. The dimensional alterations of the buccal aspect of the alveolar ridge at different time points were calculated by impressions using digital imaging analysis. The dogs were sacrificed for micro-CT and histologic analysis 3 months after surgery.

Width, height and dimensional alterations of Tx3 and Tx4 were significantly lower than those of Tx1 and Tx2. Bone morphological parameters displayed no significant differences among four groups except for the trabecular thickness of Tx1 and Tx2. The quantity and quality of hard tissue containing the residual teeth of Tx3 and Tx4 were much greater than those of Tx1 and Tx2.

Socket-shield technique may be beneficial in preserving the soft and hard tissue of the alveolar ridge, which is better than simple bone grafting in the extraction socket.