Inappropriate Socket Shield Protocol as a Probable Cause of Peri-Implant Bone Resorption: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Surgery
• Implantology

Background:

• Alveolar ridge remodeling is a natural process following tooth extraction.
• This bone remodeling continues even after dental implant placement, altering peri-implant tissue contours over time.
• Various surgical techniques exist to manage bone resorption, including socket grafting and the socket shield technique (partial extraction therapy).

Observation:

• The socket shield technique, a newer procedure, aims to mitigate alveolar bone remodeling and preserve peri-implant tissues.
• This article examines a specific case where inadequate socket shield preparation potentially caused buccal bone loss around an integrated implant.

Findings:

• An inappropriately prepared socket shield may be a contributing factor to buccal bone loss around dental implants.
• This highlights potential complications associated with the socket shield technique when not executed correctly.

Implications:

• There is a need for evidence-based consensus on patient selection and precise execution of the socket shield technique.
• Standardized guidelines could minimize procedural errors by clinicians and improve patient outcomes in dental implantology.