NCT07473921

Supracrestal Socket Shield Technique in Anterior Maxilla. A Case Report.

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 5 (estimated)
• Sponsor: International Dental Contiuing Education · Network
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Post-extraction labio-palatal ridge collapse is a significant challenge in restorative and implant dentistry particularly in anterior maxilla. Following tooth extraction, marked dimensional alveolar ridge changes occur. The buccal plate of bone in the anterior zone is primarily composed of bundle bone, a tooth dependent structure that derives its blood supply from the periodontal ligament (PDL). The PDL loss after tooth extraction results in rapid resorption of the bundle bone, leading to horizontal and vertical ridge reduction (Araújo and Lindhe, 2005, Schropp et al., 2003). Studies have shown that 50% of ridge width reduction occurs within 12 months, with two thirds of this reduction occurring within the first 3 months (Schropp et al., 2003). Moreover, the labial plate thickness in the anterior maxilla is frequently thinner than 1 mm in the majority of cases (Huynh-Ba et al., 2010). The high incidence of mid-facial recession and soft tissue volume loss is attributed to those biological events. Although IIP has become increasingly popular due to its short treatment time, it doesn't prevent physiological remodeling associated with bundle bone resorption (Araújo and Lindhe, 2005). Consequently, soft tissue collapse and midfacial recession remain common complications, especially in thin periodontal phenotypes (Chappuis et al., 2013, Cosyn et al., 2012). In order to overcome the inevitable consequences of tooth extraction, a variety of ridge preservation techniques were proposed in the literature including; flapless implant placement, bone grafting, soft tissue augmentation procedures, immediate provisionalization, a more palatal orientation of the implant in the socket and the socket shield technique.

Detailed description

The Supracrestal Socket Shield Technique is a modification of the original Socket Shield Technique used in implant dentistry to preserve buccal bone and gingival architecture after tooth extraction, especially in the esthetic zone (anterior maxilla). The key difference is that a small portion of the buccal root fragment is intentionally left slightly above the crestal bone level (supracrestal) to better support the soft tissue contour.

Conditions

• Immediate Dental Implant Placement
• Anterior Maxilla

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Supracrestal SST	Supracrestal Socket Shield Technique (SSST) 1\. Concept and Biological Principle The technique is based on partial extraction therapy. Normally, after extraction: The periodontal ligament (PDL) is lost The bundle bone of the buccal plate resorbs This leads to buccal bone collapse and gingival recession In SSST: The buccal root fragment is preserved The PDL and vascular supply remain intact The bundle bone does not resorb This maintains ridge contour and papilla stability The supracrestal extension (≈0.5-1 mm above bone crest) helps: Maintain soft tissue support Improve emergence profile Reduce mid-facial recession

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-01
• Primary completion: 2026-10-01
• Completion: 2026-11-01
• First posted: 2026-03-16
• Last updated: 2026-04-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt