The socket-shield technique in orthodontics: a method for alveolar ridge preservation

This study was conducted to investigate the clinical efficacy of Socket-Shield Technique on the adult first premolar bone preservation in Orthodontic Extraction Treatment.

26 patients who were underwent Orthodontic Extraction Treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University were enrolled. Extracted teeth were paired and randomly allocated into two groups: test group (Socket-Shield Technique) and control group. Finally, the socket-shield was removed when the adjacent tooth moved proximate to the shield during the process of closing orthodontic gap. Cone beam computerized tomography were utilized to access the buccolingual resorption and vertical resorption at 1 mm, 3 mm and 5 mm from a reference plane of alveolar crest, as well as tooth movement rate.

The first premolar alveolar bone height resorption of test group were significantly lower than those in control group. Resorption of alveolar bone width at 1 mm and 3 mm above the reference plane at T1, T2 and T3 in the test group were significantly lower than those in the control group. There were no significant differences at 5 mm above reference plane. The tooth movement rate between the test group and the control group have no significant difference.

Socket-Shield Technique has a positive clinical effect on preserving the alveolar bone of the first premolar in adults with thin buccal alveolar bone and does not exert any discernible influence on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in Orthodontic Extraction Treatment.

The trial was registered in Clinical Trial Registry ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ) on 02/01/2024 and the registration number is NCT06510621.