Horizontal alteration of anterior alveolar ridge after immediate implant placement: A retrospective cone beam computed tomography analysis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the labio-lingual alterations of the alveolar bone where the implant was placed immediately after tooth extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Implants were placed immediately after tooth extraction on anterior alveolar ridges in the maxilla and mandible. The pin-guide system was used to help determine the location and path of implants during the surgical process. The horizontal distance from implants to the outer border of alveolar bone was measured at the rim and middle of the implants in the cone beam computed tomography images. The alteration of alveolar bone was evaluated comparing the horizontal distances measured immediately after surgery and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The results show that more resorption occurred towards the labial bone than the lingual bone in the maxilla. A similar amount of labial and lingual bone resorption was observed in the mandible. CONCLUSION: Considering the horizontal alteration of alveolar bone, labio-lingual positioning of the implant towards the lingual bone in the maxilla and at the center of the alveolar ridge in the mandible is recommended when it is placed immediately after tooth extraction.