SOCKET PRESERVATION- “HEALER OF THE EMPTY SOCKET”- AN OVERVIEW

Extraction is indicated when a tooth cannot be restored or maintained in acceptable conditions for function and/or esthetics. Following tooth extraction, alveolar bone loss and structural and compositional changes of the covering soft tissues, as well as morphological alterations takes place. The repair process results in marked changes in the height and width of the alveolar ridge with an average of 0.7-1.5mm of vertical and 4.0-4.5mm of horizontal bone resorption which may lead to difficulties at the time of implant placement. This lead to a technique called ‘Socket Preservation’, also known as alveolar ridge preservation. This procedure reduces bone loss after tooth extraction to preserve the tooth socket in the alveolar bone. The goal of socket preservation is maintenance or enhancement of facial, interproximal gingival contours and height of interproximal papilla. Various materials and procedures are used for socket preservation. Some of them are: connective tissue grafts, free gingival graft, biocol, alloderm, prosthetic “pontic” socket plug, autologous fibrin concentrates, GTR membranes and bone graft materials like autografts, allografts, xenografts and alloplast. Thus, socket preservation at the time of extraction is one of the most significant procedures in the periodontal paradigm for maintenance of health, youth and beauty. KEYWORDS: Socket preservation, Extraction sockets, Alveolar bone remodeling, GTR, GBR.