Autogenous tooth roots for lateral extraction socket augmentation and staged implant placement. A prospective observational study

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of using autogenous tooth roots (TR) for a lateral augmentation of deficient extraction sockets and two-stage implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients were recruited to perform a simultaneous, lateral augmentation of deficient (i.e., thickness of the buccal bone < 0.5 mm or buccal dehiscence-type defects) fresh extraction sockets using the respective non-retainable but non-infected teeth (n = 15). After 26 weeks of submerged healing, the primary endpoint was defined as the crestal ridge width (mm) (CW26) being sufficient to place an adequately dimensioned titanium implant at the respective sites. RESULTS: The surgical procedure could be accomplished in n = 14 patients. Soft tissue healing was uneventful in all patients. CW26 at visit 6 allowed for a successful implant placement in all patients (e.g., 14/14). Mean CW26 values amounted to 10.85 ± 2.71 mm (median: 8.5). The change (4.89 ± 2.29 mm) in CW compared to baseline was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The usage of TR may represent a feasible approach for lateral augmentation of deficient extraction sockets and two-stage implant placement.