Alveolar process after tooth extraction: spontaneous healing versus implant placement

Method: 16 adult beagle dogs and 5 healing periods were analyzed. Mandibular premolars were extracted and immediate implants were placed in each distal socket with the corresponding mesial site left to heal undisturbed. In each healing period, 3 animals were euthanatized, each providing 8 study sites. Healing was assessed by descriptive histology and by histometric analysis using as landmarks i) the vertical distance between buccal and lingual crest (B’L’) ii) the width of buccal and lingual walls at three different levels.  Differences between means for each variable for each healing period between test and control were compared (two way ANOVA) and considered statistically significant when p<0.05.                                                               

Result:

The B’L’ distance was significantly at implant sites both at 2 and 8 weeks of healing (p<0,05). The width of the crest did not show inter-group statistically significant differences. Intra-group statistical differences were shown between baseline (0,37 (0,04)) and 8 weeks healing (0,13 (0,64)) for the implant sites (p<0,05) at B1 level.

Conclusion:

The B’L’ distance was significantly at implant sites both at 2 and 8 weeks of healing (p<0,05). The width of the crest did not show inter-group statistically significant differences. Intra-group statistical differences were shown between baseline (0,37 (0,04)) and 8 weeks healing (0,13 (0,64)) for the implant sites (p<0,05) at B1 level.