Socket Preservation Following Posterior Maxillary Tooth Extraction: Its Effect On Sinus Pneumatization And Ridge Preservation

Objectives: To compare dimensional changes in the alveolar ridge and corresponding maxillary sinus following tooth extraction, with or without socket preservation.
Methods: 42 patients underwent tooth extraction (control group) and 21 patients underwent tooth extraction with socket preservation using DBBM (study group). Panoramic radiographs, prior to and approximately 1 year post extractions were superimposed and matched using a fixed reference unit. The following measurements were performed in the midline of the tooth site: distance of the bone crest to the sinus floor; distance of the sinus floor to the sinus roof and the sagittal circumference of the maxillary.
Results: The mean change in the distance from the sinus floor to the sinus roof pre and post operatively was 0.30 mm (±0.10 SE) in the study group and 1.30 mm (±0.27 SE) in the control group (p=0.0221). The mean change in the distance from the bone crest to the sinus floor was 0.32 mm (±0.09 SE) in the study group and 1.26 mm (±0.28 SE) in the control group (p=0.0019), and the mean change in the sinus sagittal circumference was 37.34 mm (±6.10 SE) and 125.95 mm (±15.60 SE), respectively (p=0.0001).
Conclusions: Ridge preservation using bovine derived xenograft might reduce sinus pneumatization along with minimizing crestal bone resorption. These 2 mechanisms might enhence placement of dental implants in these sites.