Socket-shield technique - A new method for bone preservation

Dental implants have become a standard treatment in the replacement of missing teeth. In periodontium following tooth extraction, the blood vessels are cutoff which leads to facial bone plate resorption as periodontal membrane primarily vascularizes the bundle bone of tooth. Therefore, in implant dentistry, it is important to preserve ridge following extraction as it may hinder positioning of implant and its outcome. However, ridge preservation possesses the biggest challenge, hence a new method in which there is deliberate retention of root to preserve bone was introduced. Socket-shield technique (SST) aims to avoid alterations of tissue following extraction, offers promising results, and reduces the need of bone grafting. This review article overviews the principles, indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, surgical technique, classification, and clinical outcomes of previous studies in literature. Furthermore, this article gives a short overview on modification of SST and complications faced by clinicians in implant dentistry.