Management of the extraction socket and alveolar ridge preservation

Dental practitioners will be aware that, following extraction, the alveolar ridge undergoes significant changes. The biological processes and dimensional changes that occur have been well studied. These changes have an impact on the prosthodontic replacement of teeth and this has taken on increased importance with the increasing prevalence of dental implants. The morphology of the remaining alveolar ridge has a significant impact on implant treatment complexity and outcomes. An intact ridge can lead to low risk implant placement with the expectation of excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes, whereas severe atrophy of the ridge is associated with increased risk, particularly where vertical augmentation is required, as well as associated surgical morbidity, and potential for aesthetic compromise. The ITI group have developed an assessment system which includes general, systemic and local factors and their effects on treatment, including the deficient ridge (www.iti.org/SAC-Assessment-Tool). Significant soft and hard tissue augmentation immediately raises the overall treatment level to complex.