Socket-Shield Technique For Maxillary Root Resorption

This case report demonstrates the successful application of the socket-shield technique combined with surgical guidance in managing external root resorption of maxillary anterior teeth, achieving predictable aesthetic and functional outcomes. A 32-year-old patient presented with a mobile crown and purulent discharge from the gingival sulcus of the maxillary left central incisor. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) revealed a crown fracture accompanied by localized external root resorption on the palatal aspect. The treatment protocol comprised: (1) initial extraction of the coronal portion and fracture surface trimming, followed by a 4-week healing period; (2) full-thickness flap elevation;(3) trimming the root to preserve the labial fragment; (4) guided implant placement using a surgical template; (5) gap filling with low-substitution-rate bone graft material; and (6) flap release and tension-free closure. Secondary surgery was performed after 6 months, followed by gingival contouring and definitive crown restoration. Three-year follow-up demonstrated stable peri-implant hard and soft tissue architecture with optimal aesthetic results. External root resorption represents a progressive pathological process involving the loss of dental hard tissues. Conventional treatment approaches often require multiple surgical interventions, potentially compromising patient comfort and treatment efficiency. The socket-shield technique (SST) offers a biologically-driven alternative that preserves the facial root fragment during extraction, thereby maintaining the buccal bone architecture and soft tissue profile. The socket-shield technique represents a reliable treatment modality for external root resorption localized to the palatal aspect.