Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Two Incision Techniques on Soft and Hard Tissue Outcomes in Immediate Implant Placement in Class II Extraction Sockets of the Esthetic Zone:

This randomized controlled clinical trial investigates the effect of two different surgical approaches-Vestibular Socket Therapy (VST) and Flap Elevation Technique-on soft and hard tissue outcomes during immediate implant placement in Class II extraction sockets of the anterior maxilla (esthetic zone). The study enrolled 26 systemically healthy adult patients contributing a total of 48 surgical sites. Each site was randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. The VST group employed a minimally invasive vestibular incision to allow atraumatic extraction, implant placement, bone grafting, and membrane placement while preserving the labial soft tissue and periosteal blood supply. The Flap Elevation group followed a conventional intrasulcular flap approach. In both groups, implants were placed with 30 Ncm torque and augmented with MegaOss™ allograft and a resorbable collagen membrane (T-barrier™). Clinical and radiographic evaluations were conducted at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months post-loading. Outcomes measured included Pink Esthetic Score (PES), peri-implant probing depth (PD), mucosal level changes, and crestal bone level changes.