Methods: The study included 18 patients with 21 sites with severe bone loss and chronic pathology. The intrasocket reactive soft tissue was elevated from the bony walls in a subperiostal plane. Porous bovine bone mineral was placed in the extraction site without membranes and the intrasocket reactive soft tissue sutured over the grafting material to seal the coronal portion of the socket.
Results: Healing progressed uneventfully. Post-operative morbidity was minimal. There was no leakage or infection of the grafting material. Mean time to implant placement was 5.4 months. Supplemental augmentation was not needed. There were no implant failures. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 36 months (mean 15 months). All implants were rehabilitated with fixed prosthesis.
Conclusions: Intrasocket reactive soft tissue can be used predictably to obtain primary closure of augmented extraction sites with severe bone loss with minimal post-operative morbidity.