Purpose: Untreated severely damaged molar sockets often complicate implant placement. This study evaluated membrane degradation, soft tissue healing, and alveolar crest dimensional changes after alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in severely damaged molar sockets using a polylactic acid membrane (PLA) and xenograft without primary wound closure.

Materials and methods: A total of 14 damaged molar sockets in 12 patients were grafted with deproteinized bovine bone mineral, which was covered with a PLA membrane without primary wound closure. Wound healing was evaluated at set times. Three sets of CBCT data taken before surgery, at 1 to 2 weeks, and at 6 to 12 months after surgery were reconstructed and superimposed to analyze dimensional changes of the alveolar crest with volumetric imaging software.

Results: Two weeks after ARP, no degradation of PLA membrane was present, and the xenograft had either no exfoliation (7 sites, 50%) or mild exfoliation (6 sites, 42.9%). One to 2 months following ARP, the membrane was partially degraded in 6 sites (42.9%) and completely degraded in 8 sites (57.1%). Nine sites (64.3%) presented with mild graft particle exfoliation, and four sites (28.6%) had granulation tissue covering the bone graft. All sites were fully covered by keratinized mucosa by 6 to 12 months. Compared with baseline measurements, the vertical bone graft height decreased by 2.2 ± 2.2 mm, and central alveolar ridge thickness measured at the level of the virtual implant platform decreased by 5.0 ± 5.1 mm after 6 to 12 months.

Conclusion: The exposed PLA membrane maintains some barrier function for at least 3 to 4 weeks after ARP in severely damaged molar extraction sites. This technique allowed for implant placements without additional grafting. Future studies should include histologic assessment of the augmented bone and nongrafted control sockets.