The socket shield technique with proximal extensions for single-rooted teeth

The conventional socket shield (SS) design extends from the mesiolabial to the distolabial line angle. C-shaped SS, L-shaped SS, and proximal SS designs have proximal extensions that help to maintain the hard and soft tissue in the interproximal areas. This is beneficial for implant sites adjacent to an existing implant or an edentulous space. The most common complication of the socket shield technique (SST) is internal shield exposure. Due to anatomical features such as a scalloped ridge shape and an oval socket shape of some teeth, the risk of complications such as internal shield exposure, inadvertent SS displacement, and fracture of the SS during implant insertion is greater in proximal shield areas. The present article describes guidelines for case selection for proximal shield extensions, along with SS preparation and the selection of implant and prosthetic components.