Socket shield technique for immediate implant placement after dental trauma: a case report

Anterior teeth are often extracted due to dental trauma, periodontal disease, and other factors. During the healing period of sockets, the loose bundle bone in the buccal side of the anterior teeth usually produces vertical and horizontal bone absorption. How to remain and reconstruct alveolar crest contour in the esthetic zone is a challenge to dentists. In this case, a 26-year-old man reported with the chief complaint of a traumatic fracture in upper front teeth region, accompanied by pain. After examination, he was diagnosed with tooth fracture (11,12 crown-root fracture). The socket shield technique was planned for treatment of tooth 11. Meanwhile, we converted the broken tooth as a temporary crown. After 6 months healing period, a porcelain crown was placed on the custom abutment. Through a 1-year follow-up, the alveolar crest contour was still stable. Consequently, socket shield technique can effectively maintain alveolar crest contour.