Placement of implants into fresh extraction sites: 4 to 7 years retrospective evaluation of 95 immediate implants

A 7-year follow-up of implants placed immediately after tooth extraction into fresh extraction sites is reported. Small autogenous bone chips (from bone adjacent to implant sites) were grafted into the defect between the implant and the socket walls when needed. Closure of the wound was obtained by coronal repositioning of the flap, and no membranes were used. Care was taken to minimize hematoma formation under the flap during healing by part-time use of removable prosthesis with thick soft linings after implant surgery. At second stage surgery, mucoperiosteal flaps were apically repositioned for maximum attached gingival width and to reconstruct the vestibule. Minor complications such as exposure occurred in 16% of cases. Implant mean 5-year cumulative survival rate was 95%. There was no implant loss after loading. The results indicated that implants placed into fresh extraction sites grafted with autogenous bone chips will heal predictably.