Immediate vs Delayed Implant Placement in Post extraction Sockets with Buccal Bone Defects

Study at a glance:

Journal: Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2025

Population: 40 patients with a failing tooth in the esthetic zone and a buccal bony defect ≥5 mm

Method: 10-year randomized controlled trial comparing immediate implant placement with bone augmentation versus delayed implant placement after alveolar ridge preservation

Key Finding: Marginal bone level changes, soft tissue parameters, esthetics, and patient satisfaction were comparable between immediate and delayed implant placement

Summary:
This 10-year RCT investigated whether an intact buccal bone wall is necessary for immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone. Forty patients with buccal bony defects ≥5 mm were randomly assigned to immediate implant placement with bone augmentation (n = 20) or delayed placement after ridge preservation (n = 20). After 10 years, marginal bone level changes were -0.71 ± 0.59 mm for the immediate group and -0.36 ± 0.39 mm for the delayed group (p = 0.063). Buccal bone thickness, soft tissue health, esthetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction showed no significant differences.

Takeaway:
Immediate implant placement with bone augmentation is a viable option even in sockets with buccal defects ≥5 mm, providing stable bone levels, healthy soft tissues, esthetic outcomes, and high patient satisfaction comparable to delayed placement.

Source: Buser D, et al. Immediate versus delayed implant placement in post extraction sockets with buccal bone defects: 10-year results of a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2025;52(8):1045-1057. doi:10.1111/jcpe.13855. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00220345241285566