Vertical crestal bone changes around implants placed into fresh extraction sockets

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze bone healing and vertical bone remodeling for implants placed immediately after tooth removal without guided bone regeneration techniques. METHODS: Twenty patients received 20 implants immediately after the removal of 20 teeth. All implants were placed within the undamaged alveoli confines, and the cervical portion of each implant was positioned at coronal bone level. The distance from implant shoulder and bone crest was measured for each implant at four sites (mesial, buccal, distal, and palatal/lingual). No membranes or filling materials were used. Primary flap closure was performed in all clinical cases. RESULTS: All peri-implant bone defects had healed completely 6 months after implant placement. The pattern of bone healing around the neck of the implants showed an absence of peri-implant defects. The vertical distance between the implant shoulder and bone crest ranged from 0 to 2 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The bone remodeling of implants placed in fresh extraction sockets showed a healing pattern with new bone apposition around the implant's neck and horizontal and vertical bone reabsorption. The vertical bone reabsorption, which has been observed at buccal sites, was not associated with any negative esthetic implications.