The Socket Shield Technique: Stability of the Buccal Peri-implant Bone After Partial Root Removal—A Prospective Case Series of 20 Patients with 18 Months of Follow-up

This study aimed to collect data on implant survival, bone volume maintenance, and complications associated with the socket shield technique. The socket shield technique was introduced in 2010. Since then, several systematic reviews have been published that show good clinical outcomes. So far, the behavior of the buccal bone plate is not completely understood. The present study involved the placement of 23 implants in 20 patients using the socket shield technique. AstraTech EV im- plants were used, and no bone substitutes or connective tissue grafts were applied. Patients were monitored for 18 months, recording implant survival, volumetric bone analysis on CBCT scans, interproximal bone levels, bone sounding, pink esthetic scores, and complications. Prosthetic procedures were also described, including temporary and final restorations. Using the socket shield technique, a cumulative implant survival rate of 95.7% was obtained after 18 months, with a significant but limited reduction in buccal bone thickness (BBT) after implant placement. One implant did not integrate, and two shields were partially exposed. The mean pink esthetic score at 1 year postloading was 12.93 ± 1.22. The study suggests that the socket shield technique can result in a limited reduction of the buccal bone volume, with a high implant survival rate. Reentry studies are recommended to investigate the causes of bone resorption.