An interventional study of Socket Shield and Early Implant Placement in Tooth Loss in the Anterior Maxilla, Alveolar Bone Resorption and Partial Edentulism of the Maxilla, sponsored by Gulf Medical University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United Arab Emirates. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-13.
Sponsored by Gulf Medical University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare peri-implant hard and soft tissue dimensional changes following immediate implant placement with the socket shield technique and immediate restoration versus early type II implant placement with contour graft in the esthetic zone. The primary outcome is the Pink Esthetic Score (PES), while secondary outcomes include mid-facial mucosal recession, radiographic vertical and horizontal buccal bone remodeling, and patient satisfaction after 12 months.
Immediate implant placement is widely used for replacing non-restorable teeth in the esthetic zone. However, post-extraction remodeling of the buccal bone plate can lead to soft tissue recession and compromised esthetic outcomes. The socket shield technique has been proposed as a partial extraction therapy designed to preserve the buccal root fragment and maintain the facial bone and gingival architecture.
This single-center, prospective randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the socket shield technique with immediate implant placement and immediate restoration compared with early type II implant placement with contour augmentation.
Forty-two patients requiring extraction of a single non-restorable tooth in the esthetic zone will be randomly allocated into two groups:
Test group: Immediate implant placement with socket shield technique and immediate restoration.
Control group: Early implant placement following soft tissue healing with contour augmentation.
Clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes will be assessed over a 12-month follow-up period.
Gulf Medical University is the lead sponsor of 40 studies on the registry; 16 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants allocated to this experimental group will undergo immediate implant placement following partial extraction therapy using the socket shield technique. After decoronation and preparation of the buccal root fragment, the implant osteotomy will be created palatal to the retained root fragment to achieve correct prosthetic positioning. The gap between the implant and the root fragment will be filled with deproteinized bovine bone mineral, and an immediate provisional restoration will be placed using a PMMA temporary crown. Final implant-supported restoration will be delivered after approximately 3 months. Participants will be followed for 12 months to evaluate peri-implant hard and soft tissue changes and esthetic outcomes.
Procedure: Socket Shield
Participants assigned to this active comparator group will undergo atraumatic extraction of the non-restorable tooth followed by early type II implant placement after a healing period of approximately 4-8 weeks. During implant surgery, a full-thickness flap will be elevated and the implant will be placed in the ideal prosthetic position. Contour augmentation will be performed using autogenous bone chips and deproteinized bovine bone mineral particles, which will be covered with a collagen membrane. After approximately 3 months of healing, the implant will be restored with a definitive implant-supported prosthetic restoration. Participants will be followed for 12 months to assess peri-implant hard and soft tissue changes and esthetic outcomes.
Procedure: Early Implant Placement
mmediate implant placement following partial extraction therapy using the socket shield technique. After decoronation and preparation of the buccal root fragment, the implant osteotomy will be created palatal to the retained root fragment to achieve correct prosthetic positioning. The gap between the implant and the root fragment will be filled with deproteinized bovine bone mineral, and an immediate provisional restoration will be placed using a PMMA temporary crown. Final implant-supported restoration will be delivered after approximately 3 months
Also known as: Partial Extraction Therapy
atraumatic extraction of the non-restorable tooth followed by early type II implant placement after a healing period of approximately 4-8 weeks. During implant surgery, a full-thickness flap will be elevated and the implant will be placed in the ideal prosthetic position. Contour augmentation will be performed using autogenous bone chips and deproteinized bovine bone mineral particles, which will be covered with a collagen membrane. After approximately 3 months of healing, the implant will be restored with a definitive implant-supported prosthetic restoration
Also known as: Type II Implant Placement
Pink Esthetic Score (PES)
Evaluation of peri-implant soft tissue esthetic outcome using the Pink Esthetic Score, which assesses seven parameters including mesial papilla, distal papilla, soft tissue level, soft tissue contour, alveolar process deficiency, soft tissue color, and texture around the implant restoration. Each parameter is scored from 0 to 2, with a maximum score of 14 indicating optimal esthetic outcome.
Time frame: 12 months after implant restoration
Peri-implant Mid-facial Mucosal Recession
Measurement of vertical changes in the mid-facial peri-implant mucosal level. Digital intraoral scans obtained at baseline and during follow-up will be superimposed using digital analysis software to quantify the vertical displacement of the facial mucosal zenith relative to the baseline position.
Time frame: 12 months after implant placement
Horizontal Radiographic Peri-implant Bone Changes
Assessment of horizontal dimensional changes of the buccal peri-implant bone using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The horizontal distance between the implant surface and the outer surface of the buccal bone plate will be measured at the mid-buccal aspect 1 mm apical to the buccal bone crest. Measurements obtained immediately after implant placement will be compared with those obtained at follow-up to determine peri-implant bone remodeling.
Time frame: 12 months after implant Restoration
Vertical Radiographic Peri-implant Bone Changes
Assessment of vertical dimensional changes of the buccal peri-implant bone using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The vertical distance between the implant platform and the buccal alveolar crest at the mid-buccal aspect of the implant will be measured. Measurements obtained immediately after implant placement will be compared with those obtained at follow-up to determine vertical peri-implant bone remodeling.
Time frame: 12 months after implant Restoration
Patient Satisfaction
Patient-reported satisfaction with the implant treatment will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaire evaluating esthetics and functional outcomes of the implant-supported restoration. The VAS ranges from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate greater patient satisfaction.
Time frame: 12 months after implant restoration
Plan to share: No
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Gulf Medical University