2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (27): 4406-4410

Application of the socket-shield technique in the implant restoration

Wang Wenli, Zhang Zihan, Li Yourui   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The socket-shield technique can effectively maintain good soft and hard tissue morphology of the immediate planting sites and has a considerable application prospect in the esthetic zone.
OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress and application of socket-shield technique in implant restoration.
METHODS: Computers were used to retrieve the PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang and CNKI databases for relevant literature published from January 2000 to January 2021. The Chinese and English key words were “immediate implant, socket-shield technique, root-membrane technique, root-implant”. Through reading the titles and abstracts, the articles with low correlation and duplication were screened out, and 58 articles were finally included for review and analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The socket-shield technique is a new method of alveolar ridge preservation, which can effectively maintain the hard and soft tissue morphology of the immediate implant site compared with the traditional method and selectively retain the root slices at different positions in the alveolar fossa according to different clinical conditions. Therefore, it has a considerable application prospect in the implant and restoration of the aesthetic area of anterior teeth. However, the socket-shield technique is sensitive, and the thickness, height and length of the retained root laminae in clinical operation all have an influence on the final restoration effect. In addition, compared with traditional planting, socket-shield technique may have biological complications such as root exposure and root absorption. Thus, it should be used with caution in routine clinical practice until more abundant histological evidence and long-term follow-up data are available.
Key words: immediate implant, socket-shield technique, dental implants, esthetic zone, extraction socket, labial alveolar bone, complication, review