Healing of Dehiscence Defects at Delayed-Immediate Implant Sites Primarily Closed by a Rotated Palatal Flap Following Extraction

In 21 patients, 28 maxillary teeth were extracted because of periapical or periodontal infection, root fracture, or untreatable caries. A rotated palatal flap procedure was used to achieve primary soft tissue closure over extraction sites. At 5 to 7 weeks postextraction, 28 implants were placed. Buccal dehiscence-type defects were treated with guided bone regeneration procedures using bovine bone mineral and resorbable collagen membranes. Mean defect area at the time of implant placement (23.7 mm2, SD 11.49) was significantly reduced at uncovering (0.7 mm2, SD 0.99). The mean percentage of defect reduction (clinical bone fill) was 97% (SD 4.26). Implants placed in compromised sites shortly postextraction according to the presented 2-stage protocol gave good short-term clinical results. Keywords: alveolar bone loss, dental implants, endosseous dental implantation, guided tissue regeneration