Soft Tissue Dimensions Following Tooth Extraction in the Posterior Maxilla: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Alveolar Ridge Preservation to Spontaneous Healing.

BACKGROUND

To assess the soft tissue dimension following tooth extraction and alveolar ridge preservation in the posterior maxilla compared to spontaneous healing.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients randomly assigned to alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) and spontaneous healing (SH) after maxillary molar extraction. The crestal, buccal, and palatal gingival thickness at 6 months was measured around virtually placed implant fixtures using superimposed cone-beam computed tomography and intraoral scan taken at 6 months. Buccal mucogingival junction (MGJ) level change over 6 months was estimated using intraoral scans obtained at suture-removal and 6 months.

RESULTS

The crestal gingiva was significantly thinner in group ARP (-1.16 mm) compared to group SH ( < 0.05). The buccal and palatal gingiva was significantly thinner at the implant shoulder (IS) level in group ARP (buccal: -0.75 mm; palatal: -0.85 mm) compared to group SH ( < 0.05). The thickness at 2 mm below the IS of both sides and the buccal MGJ level change were similar in both groups ( > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ARP in the posterior maxilla resulted in a thinner soft tissue on top of and at the prospective level of the implant shoulder at 6 months. The buccal MGJ level changed minimal for 6 months in both groups.