Use of transcortical miniscrews for alveolar ridge preservation following tooth extraction: A pilot study

The purpose of this split-mouth pilot study was to investigate the effects of a transcortical miniscrew placed over the buccal plate of an extraction socket for alveolar ridge preservation in humans.

One week after the extraction of bilateral maxillary premolars, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and intraoral digital imaging were performed (T0). A transcortical miniscrew was placed over the buccal plate of the extraction socket on one side (experiment), and the extraction socket on the contralateral side was left untreated (control). Follow-up CBCT and intraoral digital imaging were performed at 8 months immediately after miniscrew removal (T8). Changes in the width of the alveolar bone and ridge were measure by superimposing T0 and T8 of CBCTs and intraoral digital scans.

Six participants completed the study protocol. Overall, the experimental side with the miniscrew demonstrated less bone loss and less alveolar ridge reduction than the control side. Bone loss on the experimental side (0.7 ± 0.2 mm) was significantly less than that on the control side (1.3 ± 0.7 mm) at the apical level of the socket on axial CBCT imaging (Wilcoxon signed rank test, p = .031). The experimental side (-18 ± 8%) exhibited less reduction in the alveolar ridge width than the control side (-21 ± 12%) at the crestal level on coronal superimposition of the intraoral digital scans.

Transcortical miniscrew placement over the buccal plate of the extraction socket resulted in less resorption of the alveolar ridge and bone 8 months after tooth extraction.

NCT03205800: Temporary Anchorage Devices for Ridge Preservation (TAD).