Is socket shielding an option in esthetic region?

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Oral Surgery
• Periodontology

Background:

• Tooth extraction often leads to bone resorption in the anterior region, complicating dental implant placement.
• Maintaining bony architecture is crucial for successful oral rehabilitation with implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the socket shielding technique in preserving bone and soft tissue after tooth extraction.
• To assess the impact of socket shielding on buccal bone resorption and contour changes.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases.
• Data on the socket shielding technique, involving retention of a root fragment segment, were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Socket shielding effectively minimizes buccal bone resorption and contour changes.
• The technique is minimally invasive, with optional bone grafting, potentially reducing treatment costs.

Conclusions:

• Socket shielding shows promise as a non-invasive method for preserving hard and soft tissues in the esthetic zone.
• Further large-scale studies are required to validate the routine clinical application of socket shielding.