Partial Extraction Therapies (PET) Part 2: Procedures and Technical Aspects

Part 1 of this series introduced the partial extraction therapies as a group of techniques for ridge preservation at immediate implant placement and beneath pontic sites. The concept proposes a paradigm shift away from extract and augment toward partly retaining the tooth root to preserve the ridge and prevent buccopalatal collapse. The revolutionary socket-shield technique was introduced in 2010; however, there has been no follow-up literature to guide the clinician in terms of procedural steps. While root submergence is well established, the socket-shield and pontic shield are still in their clinical infancy and require longterm clinical data before they can be proposed as routine in everyday implant dentistry. Yet without sound knowledge on how to carry out the partial extraction therapies, a global dental community cannot participate in their application or contribute to the growing knowledge base. In this, the second part of the series, the procedures for root submergence, socket-shield, and pontic shield are addressed, step by step, supplemented with applicable guidelines as the first such publication guiding the clinician to apply these root- and ridge-preservation techniques. Technical aspects and complication management are also addressed.