Alveolar Ridge Changes With Biologically Oriented Alveolar Ridge Preservation (BARP) After Tooth Extraction

Overview

After tooth extraction, the alveolar process undergoes substantial horizontal and vertical resorption specifically in non-molar sites, where horizontal, vertical mid- facial, and mid-lingual ridge reduction could occur . These dimensional changes are clinically relevant, as they may affect dental implant placement and compromise soft tissue aesthetics. Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) is based on the application of a bone replacement graft into the extraction socket \& collagen membrane/plug. Recent systematic reviews have shown that ARP may limit bone resorption to about 50% of what is normally observed in case of unassisted healing . This finding indicates that ARP is effective; but at the same time, it underlines the potential for improvement.

In ARP procedures based on socket grafting, the use of a bone replacement graft would prevent up to a 30% of volume reduction in the coronal third. Whereas it has limited effect in the remaining middle-apical thirds . Since grafting of the alveolus often results in the persistence of residual graft particles embedded into the newly formed bone with a delay in the rate of bone deposition and mineralization the need to extend the grafting procedure apical to the coronal third of the socket seems questionable. Based on these considerations, a novel, simplified technique, namely, the Biologically-oriented Alveolar Ridge Preservation (BARP) for ARP that restricts socket grafting to the coronal portion of the socket was presented .

Conditions