Immediate implant placement using socket shield technique followed by delayed implant loading in maxillary canine and premolar region: Two case reports with a follow-up period of 4 years

Tooth extraction leads to continuous bone resorption causing the collapsed bone wall. To prevent bone loss and buccal wall collapse in the esthetic areas the socket shield technique was developed. Two cases of delayed implant loading of immediately placed implant with socket shield technique in the maxillary anterior and premolar region with a follow-up period of four years are described. After a follow-up period of four years, both cases depicted higher survival and success rates, better patient satisfaction, and higher implant stability. Implant-fixed prosthetic rehabilitation of the non-restorable tooth using the socket shield technique can be one of the conservative, successful and durable treatment outcome for esthetic as well as non-esthetic zones.