Socket shield technique for immediate implant placement after dental trauma: a case report

TL;DR

A case report shows that the socket shield technique helps preserve jawbone shape after tooth trauma, leading to successful dental implant outcomes.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the socket shield technique in maintaining alveolar crest contour after dental trauma.

Findings

The socket shield technique preserved the alveolar crest contour for one year after treatment.

Using a broken tooth as a temporary crown improved healing and implant success.

No significant bone absorption was observed during the follow-up period.

Abstract

Anterior teeth are often extracted due to dental trauma, periodontal disease, and other factors. During the healing period of sockets, the loose bundle bone in the buccal side of the anterior teeth usually produces vertical and horizontal bone absorption. How to remain and reconstruct alveolar crest contour in the esthetic zone is a challenge to dentists. In this case, a 26-year-old man reported with the chief complaint of a traumatic fracture in upper front teeth region, accompanied by pain. After examination, he was diagnosed with tooth fracture (11,12 crown-root fracture). The socket shield technique was planned for treatment of tooth 11. Meanwhile, we converted the broken tooth as a temporary crown. After 6 months healing period, a porcelain crown was placed on the custom abutment. Through a 1-year follow-up, the alveolar crest contour was still stable. Consequently, socket shield technique can effectively maintain alveolar crest contour.

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