Longitudinal Monitoring of Microsurgical Socket Augmentation Healing With Ultrasonography

After a tooth is extracted, a hole is left in the bone called a socket. During the first year of healing after a tooth extraction, there may be up to 60% loss of bone volume at the site. Loss of bone at the edentulous ridge (toothless area) may make it more difficult to place dental implants later. Dental socket grafting is performed to reduce bone resorption after tooth extraction. Grafting involves filling the socket with bone graft (donated human cadaver derived) and covering it with a protective collagen membrane. This graft prevents resorption of the ridge and is slowly replaced with the patient's own bone. The investigators will be trying to determine if bone healing is better if the surgeon uses more powerful magnification.

Inclusion criteria

• At least 18 years of age
• Single maxillary or mandibular hopeless tooth (a maxillary or mandibular anterior tooth or premolar) planned for extraction due to periapical pathology with a minimum ≥2 mm of the size of the periapical radiolucency shown on a peri-apical film.
• The patient is planned for implant restoration for the hopeless tooth
• The study site allows for implant placement with or without additional bone augmentation procedures after the healing
• Adequate edentulous space for the final restoration on the implant

Exclusion criteria

• Current smokers or quit smoking less than 6 months
• Major or uncontrolled medical conditions, e.g. poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c >8.0%, uncontrolled systemic disease or condition known to alter bone metabolism, e.g. osteoporosis, osteopenia, hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease, etc.
• Pregnancy, breast-feeding, could be pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 4 months (self-reported)
• Taking medications known to modify bone metabolism (i.e. bisphosphonates, corticosteroids, hormone replacement therapy)