Peri-implant tissue healing in implant placed in post-extraction sockets of maxillary premolars.
AIM: The aim of this study was the clinical and radiographic evaluation of peri-implant tissues healing associated with two-stage implants performed with one-stage surgery and placed into post-extraction sockets of maxillary premolars. METHODS: Ten natural tapered submerged titanium implants with double acid-etched surface were installed in post-extraction sockets of maxillary premolars showing no bone dehiscence or fenestrations. Implants were selected according to the greatest dimension compatible to vertical and horizontal diameters of the post-extraction sockets. Peri-implant defects showing more than 2 mm of distance between the marginal palatal bone and the implant margin, were not treated with a regenerative procedure but with a bone swaging technique by means of piezoelectric surgery. At 16 weeks osteointegration of implants was examined with a clinical and standardized radiographic evaluation. RESULTS: All patients showed good clinical healing without any complication. At 16 weeks all implants, either those with reduced marginal defect or those with modified crestal bone profile, were osteointegrated. CONCLUSIONS: The use of two-stage implants performed with one-stage surgery in 4 walls post-extraction sockets of maxillary premolars, seems to allow osteointegration both in reduced peri-implant horizontal defects as well as in defects larger than 2 mm. Furthermore, these procedures seem to simplify the management of soft peri-implant tissues.