Impact of a Alveolar Ridge Preservation Technique on the Need of Performing Guided Bone Regeneration for Dental Implant Placement

Inclusion Criteria: * at least 18 years of age * at least one intercalate tooth to be extracted, with complete alveolus and no soft tissue recession; * adequate oral hygiene, i.e. plaque index score ≤10%; * mesial-distal width of inter-dental space ≥7 mm; Exclusion Criteria: * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥III * presence of active periodontitis, clinically diagnosed in presence of probing depths ≥4 mm and bleeding on probing * a history of radiotherapy to the head and neck region * presence of conditions requiring chronic use of antibiotics * medical conditions requiring prolonged use of steroids * history of leucocyte dysfunction * history of bleeding disorders * history of renal failure * patients with metabolic bone disorders * patients with uncontrolled endocrine disorders * disability affecting oral hygiene * alcohol or drug abuse * HIV infection * smoking \>10 cigarettes a day or cigar equivalents * conditions or circumstances that would prevent completion of study participation * mucosal diseases * presence of osseous lesions * severe bruxing or clenching habits * persistent intraoral infections * compromised alveolus (dehiscence, etc)