Clinical, radiographic, and esthetic outcomes of the socket shield technique versus conventional postextraction implant placement: A systematic review.

Clinical and Esthetic Outcomes of Vestibular Socket Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Vestibular socket therapy (VST) is a minimally invasive technique for immediate implant placement (IIP) in compromised extraction sockets that reconstructs the deficient buccal plate while preserving the crestal soft tissue. Despite growing clinical adoption, the randomized evidence on its predictability and biological performance remains limited. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 and prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261288724), PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to January 2026 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating VST with IIP. Risk of bias (RoB 2) and certainty of evidence (GRADE) were assessed. Final follow-up buccal bone plate thickness was pooled using a random-effects model; trials comparing variations within VST were reported narratively but not pooled. Results: Seven RCTs (186 participants) were included; implant survival was 99.5%, with no shield exposure, peri-implantitis, or dehiscence. Meta-analysis of the three trials comparing VST against a distinct alternative technique showed no significant between-group difference in final buccal bone plate thickness at any level: crestal +0.24 mm (95% CI−0.13 to 0.61; I2 = 45%), mid-root +0.32 mm (−0.45 to 1.09; I2 = 82%), or apical +0.19 mm (−0.48 to 0.87; I2 = 67%). VST showed minimal mid-facial recession, stable papillae, and Pink Esthetic Scores of 10.29–13.17. Certainty was very low for all outcomes. Conclusions: VST achieved high implant survival and favorable soft tissue and esthetic outcomes but did not significantly outperform comparator techniques in buccal bone plate thickness, with very low certainty. Adequately powered, independent trials with longer follow-up are needed.

Short Dental Implants (≤6 mm) for Posterior Edentulism: A Comprehensive Review of Survival Rates and Complications

Short dental implants represent a valid, minimally invasive alternative to bone augmentation in appropriately selected patients and depend on modern nano-structured implant surfaces, adequate prosthetic splinting, bone quality assessment, and rigorous peri-implant maintenance.

Comparative Effectiveness of Vertical Ridge Augmentation Techniques for Dental Implant Treatment: A Systematic Review

While DO provides the greatest vertical bone gain, the GBR techniques might be a more clinically practical option, however, future well-planned RCTs to identify effective vertical bone augmentation techniques are still warranted.

Clinical and radiographic performance of immediately-placed and immediately-provisionalised dental implants with a co-axial, inverted body-shift design

Digitally assisted immediate implant placement in posterior mandibular long-span prostheses: a prospective evaluation of loading protocols and clinical outcomes.

AIM To compare the clinical outcomes of digitally assisted immediate implant placement in the posterior mandible using immediate (Type A) and delayed (Type C) loading protocols. METHODS Eighty-two patients requiring five-unit fixed partial dentures supported by three implants were consecutively enrolled. All cases were planned using a fully digital workflow integrating CBCT, intraoral scanning, and static computer-guided surgery. Only implants achieving adequate primary stability (insertion torque ≥25 Ncm and/or ISQ ≥60) were included. Patients were assigned to either immediate or delayed loading protocols. Implant survival, marginal bone loss (MBL), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PD) were evaluated over variable follow-up periods according to the timing of patient enrollment and treatment completion. RESULTS A total of 246 implants were placed, yielding an overall survival rate of 97.5% with no significant differences between loading protocols. Mean MBL was 0.7 mm and remained comparable between groups. Peri-implant parameters, including PI, BOP, and PD, were stable throughout follow-up. Regression analysis identified restorative angles >30° as the only significant predictor of increased MBL. CONCLUSION Digitally guided immediate implant placement in the posterior mandible demonstrated high survival rates and favorable peri-implant outcomes with both Type A and Type C loading protocols. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Type A loading may provide a predictable and time-efficient alternative to conventional delayed loading without compromising clinical outcomes.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Composite Cortical Plate Grafting Versus the Khoury Bone Plate Technique for Advanced Alveolar Ridge Augmentation: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE Reconstruction of severe vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge defects remains a clinical challenge in implant dentistry. The Khoury bone plate technique is widely used; however, graft resorption and limited graft containment may affect outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the Composite Cortical Plate Grafting (CCPG) technique compared with the Khoury bone plate technique. This retrospective comparative clinical study included 64 ridge augmentation procedures performed using either a CCPG technique (n=32) or the Khoury bone plate technique (n=32). The dual-layer approach involved cortical plate fixation, composite grafting with autogenous bone and xenograft, followed by an additional xenograft layer and pericardium membrane coverage. Bone gain was assessed clinically and radiographically. Graft resorption was evaluated based on radiographic observations during follow-up. Implant success was defined by clinical stability and absence of complications. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 12 months. RESULTS The CCPG technique showed greater bone gain and improved graft stability compared with the Khoury technique. Lower graft resorption and higher implant placement success rates were observed in the CCPG group (93.7% versus 75%). Complication rates were lower in the CCPG group. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the CCPG technique may provide favorable outcomes in terms of bone gain and graft stability compared with the Khoury technique. This approach represents a modification of established ridge augmentation methods and may be considered in the management of complex alveolar defects.