Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of Bone Regeneration Outcomes Following Guided Bone Regeneration in the Anterior Maxillary Region

1. Research background: Guided bone regeneration (GBR), as a bone augmentation technique, is widely used for reconstructing hard tissue defects in implant placement in the anterior esthetic zone. According to the initial bone defect morphology and soft tissue morphology (e.g., the "gingival biotype") in the maxillary anterior esthetic zone, the clinical outcomes of bone regeneration after implantation can be improved by adjusting the direction of implant placement. Currently, few published studies have investigated the effects of bone defect morphology and gingival biotype on GBR outcomes; sample sizes and comprehensive analyses are insufficient, and some results are contradictory. 2. Research objective: Exploring the key soft-tissue factors influencing the osteogenic outcomes of guided bone regeneration in the maxillary anterior region. This study takes gingival biotype as the primary research factor and conducts a prospective cohort comparison between two groups, contrasting the effects of thin versus thick gingival biotypes on bone stability or resorption rates following GBR in the maxillary anterior area. 3. Study design and methods: Design type: prospective clinical study. Study duration: 3 years. Start time: From the date of adoption of ethics. End time: 2027. For all included patients, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and intraoral scans will be performed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

Vertical Root Extraction for Immediate Implant

Immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone has become a preferred treatment modality due to its potential to shorten treatment duration, reduce surgical interventions, and preserve the natural contour of peri-implant tissues (Chen \& Buser, 2009; Lang et al., 2012). Despite these advantages, the technique remains surgically demanding, especially in the anterior maxilla, where the labial plate is often thin and highly susceptible to post-extraction resorption (Spray et al., 2000; Chappuis et al., 2017). The greatest dimensional changes in alveolar ridge volume occur within the first 8-12 weeks after tooth extraction, with reductions in both height and width of the buccal bone crest (Araújo \& Lindhe, 2005; Tan et al., 2012). This remodeling compromises mucogingival architecture, often leading to mid-facial soft tissue recession and esthetic failures. Conventional extraction methods, which apply rotational or lateral forces using elevators and forceps, risk fracturing the socket walls and accelerating bone loss (Araujo \& Lindhe, 2009; Oghli \& Steveling, 2010). The introduction of atraumatic extraction systems aimed to address this challenge. The Benex vertical extraction system operates by inserting a screw into the root canal and applying controlled vertical traction. This approach minimizes lateral stress on socket walls, theoretically preserving the thin labial plate, which is critical for esthetic success (Muska et al., 2013; Canellas et al., 2021). Vertical traction avoids socket expansion and microfractures, enabling safer immediate implant placement in compromised situations. Case reports and retrospective series have demonstrated encouraging clinical results with Benex, including intact labial plates on CBCT, high implant survival, and favorable Pink Esthetic Scores (Fürhauser et al., 2005; Canellas et al., 2021). Patients also report reduced discomfort and trauma perception, suggesting potential psychosocial benefits. However, most of the current evidence is based on small-scale case series (Blus \& Szmukler-Moncler, 2010; Singla \& Sharma, 2020), and randomized controlled trials comparing Benex-assisted extraction with conventional atraumatic extraction are lacking. A robust RCT evaluating both objective esthetic outcomes (Midfacial mucosal recession, PES, CBCT bone preservation) and subjective patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) is therefore essential to validate the clinical value of the Benex system in the esthetic zone.