Implementation of orthodontic extraction for pre-implant soft tissue management: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to define the recommendations allowing an optimized clinical implementation for orthodontic extraction as a pre-implant soft tissue management procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A digital search was performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and DOSS databases; a pre-screening was conducted according to the title and summary of the articles. After a complete reading, only the articles meeting all of our inclusion criteria were selected, and a second search, this time manual, was performed within their references. The selected articles were then analysed according to twelve parameters.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine articles were included. Despite low statistical evidence in the available literature, some principal guidelines, which seem generally accepted by the scientific community, could be highlighted based on this analysis. However, no ideal clinical protocol could be established.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthodontic extraction is an efficient procedure for pre-implant soft tissue management, however, further studies are needed to establish full clinical recommendations and optimize its clinical implementation.