DIGITAL ANALYSIS OF LABIAL ALVEOLAR CHANGES AFTER SOCKET SHIELDING WITH A ROOT SECTIONING GUIDE: A CLINICAL TRIAL

METHODOLOGY Ten hopeless teeth in the esthetic zone were included. A computer designed, 3D printed surgical guide was used to section the root, leaving the coronal 2/3 of its labial part attached to the socket. An implant was then placed palatal to the root fragment. Preoperative and Postoperative (5 months later) intraoral scans were superimposed with a digital software to assess the dimensional changes of the labial alveolar ridge. Linear dimensional changes at 1,3 and 5 mm apical to the gingival margin were measured, as well as mean linear changes in a specified Area Of Interest (5×5 mm) apical to the gingival margin (AOI).