Alveolar ridge preservation – objectives and challenges
Sanda Mihaela Popescu, Prof. Habil, PhD
Oral Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Medicine and
Pharmacy of Craiova
Abstract
Tooth extraction results in alveolar ridge resorption, with the most significant
decrease of bone dimension occurring in the first 6 months post-extraction due to
remodeling. Over the last 20 years, implant-prosthetic treatment has become an
optimal solution for tooth loss, underscoring the importance of alveolar ridge
preservation. Thus, to avoid complicated procedures such as sinus lifts and bone
augmentation, planning the extraction and post-extraction procedures to maintain the
alveolar ridge dimensions is essential. From the multitude of methods available,
dentists can choose the optimal options for the case, starting with atraumatic
extraction techniques, then using biomaterials to prevent bone resorption, such as
platelet concentrates or the patient’s own bone fragments, and finally xenogenic or
alloplastic materials (membranes or artificial bone).
The most challenging areas in this matter are the upper anterior and upper posterior
areas, for different reasons. While in the upper anterior area, the most crucial
objective is esthetics; in the upper posterior area, especially the molar region,
functionality takes precedence. The molar region is also essential because the first
molars are most affected by caries, leading to edentulism at a young age.
Keywords: alveolar ridge preservation, molars, extraction, bone resorption
Learning Objectives
- To acknowledge the concept of atraumatic extraction
- To recognize the methods used for alveolar ridge preservation
- To understand the concept of alveolar ridge preservation and the guiding
principles for choosing the correct method each time