SOCKET PRESERVATION IN THE MAXILLARY ESTHETIC ZONE USING AUTOGENOUS BONE BLOCK AND GINGIVAL GRAFT FROM THE MAXILLARY TUBEROSITY (A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL STUDY)

Background: After tooth extraction, bone resorption related to structural modifications and soft tissue composition can be assumed. The socket experiences a natural remodeling process resulting in a new shape of the soft and hard tissues, and hence socket preservation can be performed to maintain bone and soft tissue structure for delayed implant insertion. Aim of the study: This study aims to assess clinically, radiographically, and histologically bone formation following socket preservation using autogenous bone and gingival graft from maxillary tuberosity compared to bone formation without socket preservation.Methods: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial; participants were randomly allocated into 2 groups: in the study group, 8 patients underwent socket preservation in the maxillary esthetic zone utilizing autogenous bone and gingival graft from maxillary tuberosity, while in the control group, 8 patients were left without socket preservation after extraction. All patients obtained immediate (within 24 hours) and six months post-operative CBCT to evaluate bone formation in both groups. Histological assessment was performed 6 months postoperatively.Results: The collected data were evaluated using SPSS software version 22.0.Conclusion: Despite our research limitations, particularly in the anterior area where the vestibular wall is thin and prone to rapid resorption after tooth extraction, clinical and radiological findings indicate that punch grafting of hard and soft tissues reduces dimensional changes in both hard and soft tissues post-extraction. Furthermore, histological analysis conducted six months after socket preservation (ARP), revealed new bone formation and a decrease in the remaining graft particles when using autogenous tissues.