Immediate implant placement with socket shield technique in the maxilla: a prospective case series evaluation at 1-year follow-up

Abstract

Background: The aims of this case series were to investigate the clinical, radiographic, implant success, complication incidence, esthetic, and patient-reported outcomes of 10 immediately placed implants associated with the socket shield technique at 12months post-loading and to assess the ridge width changes that occurred at 8months following implant placement. Methods: A total of 10 patients received 10 socket shield immediate implants (MegaGen AnyRidge). At 8months postimplantation, casts were made to assess the ridge width changes by measuring the ridge width at the implant sites and comparing them with the corresponding measurements at the contralateral tooth site. At 12months postloading, clinical indices, marginal bone loss, pink esthetic score, and patient-assessed outcomes were evaluated. The mean, standard deviation and median were calculated for all continuous variables. Results: All implants demonstrated a 100% success rate, while 2 implants presented with external shield exposure that was managed successfully. The mean marginal bone loss was 0.08±0.14mm mesially and 0.21±0.23mm distally. Esthetic evaluation yielded an average modifed pink esthetic score of 8.65. A mean gain of 0.17mm in the facial-palatal ridge width was recorded at 8months postimplantation. Conclusions: The socket shield technique enhanced the functional and esthetic results by preserving the alveolar bone and peri-implant soft tissues. However, this is a sensitive technique and still needs more robust evidence before it can be recommended for everyday clinical practice