Effect of Provisional Restorations with Ovate Pontics on Preservation of the Ridge after Tooth Extraction: Case Series.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of provisional restorations using ovate pontics on the hard and soft tissues of the alveolar ridge after tooth extraction. METHODS Patients with intact buccal bone after extraction of a maxillary incisor underwent a series of treatments. The protocol included tooth extraction and provisional restoration using ovate pontics. The outcomes were assessed 1, 3 and 6 months after the procedure, regarding changes in bone volume and soft tissue dimension. RESULTS A total of 11 patients (6 female and 5 male) were treated using an ovate pontic provisional restoration after tooth extraction. After 6 months, bone loss at level 1, 3 and 5 mm below the most coronal section of the bone crest was 2.28 ± 0.53 mm, 1.51 ± 0.30 mm and 1.46 ± 0.41 mm, respectively. Changes in bone volume of these three levels were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than changes previously reported in the literature. The mesial and distal papillae recessed 0.47 ± 0.24 mm and 0.88 ± 0.57 mm, respectively, whereas the midfacial shrinkage was 0.86 ± 0.44 mm. The dimension of the ridge contour around the socket reduced mostly at 3 and 5 mm below the coronal section and the gingival mucosa, with values of 1.68 ± 0.48 mm and 1.61 ± 0.48 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION Using a provisional restoration with ovate pontics after tooth extraction may preserve the alveolar ridge by sustaining the soft tissue, in particular the gingival papilla.