Clinical Techniques in Periodontics With Laura Minsk, DMD

Physiological healing after tooth extrac-tion involves a significant amount ofbone and soft-tissue remodeling, which often results in considerable anatomical, func-tional, and esthetic deformities. These defects can create difficulties in, or even impede, the fabrication of conventional or implant-sup-ported prostheses (Figure 1). Radiographic evaluations of alveolar ridge dimensions have indicated a loss of height and width of the alveolar ridge when bone levels are compared at the time of tooth extraction and then 12 months later.1 The extent and pattern of the resorption is variable, with a progressive loss of ridge contour that results from physiological bone remodeling. Postextraction bone loss is accelerated i