Vital root retention in humans: a final report

A research protocal for submucosal vital root retention in humans has been developed based on laboratory animal studies. Procedures, patient management, and statistical results have been reported in a series of three articles. Changes in techniques have also been reported, along with explanation of a flowchart for tooth root retention and alveolar ridge preservation. Some ideas for future investigations are presented. Vital root retention in humans appears to be a valid means of retaining residual bony ridge tissues to a greater degree than when patients are rendered totally edentulous.