Temporary anchorage devices for ridge preservation after extraction

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate effects of transcortical mini-screws placed in the buccal plate of the extraction socket following tooth extraction in human subjects compared to untreated sockets.

Patients planned for extraction of two maxillary premolars were recruited. One mini-screw was placed in the buccal plate of the extraction side on the experimental side. The contralateral extraction side was left untreated as the control side. Intraoral digital scans and clinical photographs were obtained at baseline, 4 months, and 8 months. CBCTs were exposed after the extraction and before mini-screw placement and at 8 months.

A considerable decrease in ridge width was observed in all three subjects at experimental and control sides. However, the experimental sides exhibited less bone loss compared to the control sides in two subjects. Transcortical mini-screw placement in the buccal plate might reduce dimensional changes at the extraction side.