Ideal Implant Positioning in an Anterior Maxillary Extraction Socket by Creating an Apico-palatal Guiding Slot: A Technical Note

In anterior maxillary extraction sockets, immediate implants are usually positioned along the palatal slope of the extraction socket. However, this positioning frequently causes unintentional slipping of dental implant toward thin labial plate, leading to its fracture or perforation. To prevent this, the present authors have created a simple apico-palatal guiding slot in the extraction socket following atraumatic extraction. Guided by this slot, sequential drilling up to implant placement can be easily accomplished while maintaining ideal axial orientation of the dental implant. Keywords: anterior maxilla, extraction socket, immediate implant placement