Variables that influence the healing at implants installed immediately after extraction

Several variables may influence the healing at implants installed immediately after tooth extraction. The position and dimensions of the implants in relation to the extraction sockets, the use of alveolar preservation or regenerative techniques, the presence of neighbor teeth are altogether conditions that will influence the outcome at implants installed immediately after tooth extraction. All these aspects are analyzed in the present article. Several variables may influence the outcomes of implants installed immediately in an extraction socket. A volumetric reduction of the alveolar crest will always occur after tooth extraction, as a physiologic result of the loss of the volume occupied by the teeth and the loss of the periodontal ligament that was supporting buccal crest. The extents of this shrinkage have been reported in various studies. In one study on 149 cast models [1], the dimensions at edentulous sites were compared with those at the contralateral site where the teeth were still present. A reduction of 3.5-3.6 mm at the buccal aspect, and 1.7 to 2.0 mm at the lingual aspect was found at the extraction sites compared to the dentate zones. In a clinical study, 46 patients were followed for one year after tooth extraction [2] and clinical measurements, x-rays and cast models were taken before extraction and after various periods of healing. In the cast model, a reduction of the width of 32% after 3 months, and of 51% after one year was reported. In these two studies, only measurements in 2D were used and no implants were installed in the edentulous regions. Influence of implant installation on the alveolar crest volume: In another clinical study [3], not only 2D, but also 3D measurements were taken. Ten patients received single-tooth rehabilitation by means of implants installed into the alveoli immediately after tooth extraction (immediate implant). High precision impressions were taken before extraction and after 1 year from prosthesis delivering. The total mean volume loss of the alveolar crest was 12.7%, being 5.9% at the buccal aspect, and 6.8% at the lingual aspect. These data offered a more rational idea of the amount of volume loss compared to 2D data and may indicate a lower resorption compared to the previous 2D studies. However, it has to be considered that implant-abutment-crown units contribute in increasing the volume of the region compared to an edentulous region. Position of the implant in the extraction socket: Another important aspect that should be considered for immediate implants is the depth of installation and the position of the implant within the extraction sockets in a buccal/lingual plane. Two experiments were carried out in dogs to provide an answer to this issue. In one experiment, the implants were placed either in the center of the alveolus with the margin at the level of the bone crest (control site) or in a lingual position and deeper (test sites) [4]. The histological analysis revealed a higher exposure of *Correspondence to: Daniele Botticelli, Viale Pascoli 67, 47923 Rimini, Italy, E-mail: daniele.botticelli@gmail.com Received: June 25, 2018; Accepted: July 02, 2018; Published: July 04, 2018 the implant surface in the buccal aspect at the control compared to the test sites. Similar results were obtained in an analogous experiment in which the implants were placed either buccally or lingually [5]. This, in turn, means that the more an implant is placed buccally, the more the buccal surface of the implant will be exposed above the bone crest. This may result in poor esthetic outcomes and recession of the peri-implant soft tissues [6]. Buccal gap dimensions and crest width: When an implant is placed lingually into an extraction socket, the formation of a buccal gap is expected. The consequent question is about the influence of this gap on healing and a possible treatment of this defect using a bone filler and/or a membrane to cover the region. In a clinical study on immediate implants, neither bone fillers nor membranes were used [7]. The data from that analysis were stratified based on the horizontal width of the gap at the time of installation [8]. It was shown that horizontal gaps ≤1 mm had higher horizontal (43%) and vertical (-1.4 mm) buccal resorption compared to gaps >1 mm (32% and -0.7 mm, respectively). Another important aspect that was considered in that analysis was the influence on the healing of the width of the buccal bone, measured 1 mm below the top of the bone crest [8]. Those data were also stratified based on the buccal bone crests width at the time of implant installation. It was shown that buccal bone crests presenting a width ≤1 mm had higher horizontal (43%) and vertical (-1.2 mm) buccal resorption compared to bone crests that presented a width >1 mm (21% and -0.4 mm, respectively). Considering together the data of horizontal gap and bone width, it appears that the lower are gap and bone width the higher will be the buccal horizontal and vertical resorption after healing. This, in turn, means that the closer is the implant surface to the outer contour of the buccal bone crest the higher will be the resorption.9 This corroborate the data from the animal experiments discussed above. Buccal gap filled with a wider implant: The following question that arise is about the use of a biomaterial to fill the buccal gap aiming Iida T (2018) Variables that influence the healing at implants installed immediately after extraction J Transl Sci, 2018 doi: 10.15761/JTS.1000266 Volume 5(4): 2-3 Similar buccal defects with a vertical depth of 8 mm were prepared at immediate implants in dogs [21]. A biomaterial composed of 60% synthetic HA and 40% ß-TCP was used to fill the defects at the test sites while the defects at the control sites were left untreated. Collagen membranes were placed at both sites. After 4 months of healing, a superior regeneration was obtained at the control sites compared to the test sites. The biomaterial was found integrated into newly formed bone in several biopsies while, in other samples, the granules were surrounded by connective tissue and located outside the regenerated bone crest. The results from these two studies indicate that not all bone substitute may have obtained similar results when used in not selfcontained bone defects. Presence or absence of neighbor teeth: Another important aspect that should be considered for immediate implants is the presence of the adjacent teeth. In studies in dogs [22,23], in one side of the mandible, the mesial roots of the second, third, fourth premolars and of the first molar were treated endodontically, the teeth were hemisected, and the distal roots were extracted. In the other side of the mandible, all premolars and first molars were extracted. Implants were installed in the distal alveoli at both side of the mandible. After three months of healing, the histological analyses revealed a higher vertical resorption at the implants without adjacent teeth compared to the sites at which the mesial roots, together the corresponding part of the crown, were maintained. Healing at immediate implants: The healing at immediate implants were also compared with that of implants placed in a standard healed alveolar crest, with or without immediate load [24,25]. After 3 months of healing, no statistically significant differences were found in osseointegration as well as in bone and soft tissues levels, either with or without load. It was concluded that the healing at implants installed in extraction sockets was comparable to those installed in healed sites. During the earliest weeks of healing, due to the presence of a marginal defect, the most coronal contact of the new bone to the implant surface was obviously located more apically at the immediate implants sites compared to the healed sites. It has to be considered that a systematic review with meta-analysis comparing the clinical outcomes of implants installed in fresh extraction socket or in healed sites suggested that immediate implants affects the failure rates of about 1% more compared to a standard installation in healed sites [26]. Implant stability beyond the apex: Generally, the clinicians try to get primary stability preparing the recipient sites beyond the apex of the alveolus. However, this is not always possible due to the presence of anatomical structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve or the sinus. In an experiment in dogs, the healing at 11 mm long immediate implants placed in recipient sites prepared beyond the apex was compared with that at 6 mm long immediate implants that gained the stability within the alveolus, without reaching the apex [27]. Similar osseointegration was obtained at both sites, including in the apical region of the implants.

Several variables may influence the outcomes of implants installed immediately in an extraction socket. A volumetric reduction of the alveolar crest will always occur after tooth extraction, as a physiologic result of the loss of the volume occupied by the teeth and the loss of the periodontal ligament that was supporting buccal crest. The extents of this shrinkage have been reported in various studies. In one study on 149 cast models [1], the dimensions at edentulous sites were compared with those at the contralateral site where the teeth were still present. A reduction of 3.5-3.6 mm at the buccal aspect, and 1.7 to 2.0 mm at the lingual aspect was found at the extraction sites compared to the dentate zones. In a clinical study, 46 patients were followed for one year after tooth extraction [2] and clinical measurements, x-rays and cast models were taken before extraction and after various periods of healing. In the cast model, a reduction of the width of 32% after 3 months, and of 51% after one year was reported. In these two studies, only measurements in 2D were used and no implants were installed in the edentulous regions.

Influence of implant installation on the alveolar crest volume:
In another clinical study [3], not only 2D, but also 3D measurements were taken. Ten patients received single-tooth rehabilitation by means of implants installed into the alveoli immediately after tooth extraction (immediate implant). High precision impressions were taken before extraction and after 1 year from prosthesis delivering. The total mean volume loss of the alveolar crest was 12.7%, being 5.9% at the buccal aspect, and 6.8% at the lingual aspect. These data offered a more rational idea of the amount of volume loss compared to 2D data and may indicate a lower resorption compared to the previous 2D studies. However, it has to be considered that implant-abutment-crown units contribute in increasing the volume of the region compared to an edentulous region.
Position of the implant in the extraction socket: Another important aspect that should be considered for immediate implants is the depth of installation and the position of the implant within the extraction sockets in a buccal/lingual plane. Two experiments were carried out in dogs to provide an answer to this issue. In one experiment, the implants were placed either in the center of the alveolus with the margin at the level of the bone crest (control site) or in a lingual position and deeper (test sites) [4]. The histological analysis revealed a higher exposure of the implant surface in the buccal aspect at the control compared to the test sites. Similar results were obtained in an analogous experiment in which the implants were placed either buccally or lingually [5]. This, in turn, means that the more an implant is placed buccally, the more the buccal surface of the implant will be exposed above the bone crest. This may result in poor esthetic outcomes and recession of the peri-implant soft tissues [6].

Buccal gap dimensions and crest width:
When an implant is placed lingually into an extraction socket, the formation of a buccal gap is expected. The consequent question is about the influence of this gap on healing and a possible treatment of this defect using a bone filler and/or a membrane to cover the region. In a clinical study on immediate implants, neither bone fillers nor membranes were used [7]. The data from that analysis were stratified based on the horizontal width of the gap at the time of installation [8]. It was shown that horizontal gaps ≤1 mm had higher horizontal (43%) and vertical (-1.4 mm) buccal resorption compared to gaps >1 mm (32% and -0.7 mm, respectively). Another important aspect that was considered in that analysis was the influence on the healing of the width of the buccal bone, measured 1 mm below the top of the bone crest [8]. Those data were also stratified based on the buccal bone crests width at the time of implant installation. It was shown that buccal bone crests presenting a width ≤1 mm had higher horizontal (43%) and vertical (-1.2 mm) buccal resorption compared to bone crests that presented a width >1 mm (21% and -0.4 mm, respectively). Considering together the data of horizontal gap and bone width, it appears that the lower are gap and bone width the higher will be the buccal horizontal and vertical resorption after healing. This, in turn, means that the closer is the implant surface to the outer contour of the buccal bone crest the higher will be the resorption. 9 This corroborate the data from the animal experiments discussed above.

Buccal gap filled with a wider implant:
The following question that arise is about the use of a biomaterial to fill the buccal gap aiming Similar buccal defects with a vertical depth of 8 mm were prepared at immediate implants in dogs [21]. A biomaterial composed of 60% synthetic HA and 40% ß-TCP was used to fill the defects at the test sites while the defects at the control sites were left untreated. Collagen membranes were placed at both sites. After 4 months of healing, a superior regeneration was obtained at the control sites compared to the test sites. The biomaterial was found integrated into newly formed bone in several biopsies while, in other samples, the granules were surrounded by connective tissue and located outside the regenerated bone crest. The results from these two studies indicate that not all bone substitute may have obtained similar results when used in not selfcontained bone defects.
Presence or absence of neighbor teeth: Another important aspect that should be considered for immediate implants is the presence of the adjacent teeth. In studies in dogs [22,23], in one side of the mandible, the mesial roots of the second, third, fourth premolars and of the first molar were treated endodontically, the teeth were hemisected, and the distal roots were extracted. In the other side of the mandible, all premolars and first molars were extracted. Implants were installed in the distal alveoli at both side of the mandible. After three months of healing, the histological analyses revealed a higher vertical resorption at the implants without adjacent teeth compared to the sites at which the mesial roots, together the corresponding part of the crown, were maintained.
Healing at immediate implants: The healing at immediate implants were also compared with that of implants placed in a standard healed alveolar crest, with or without immediate load [24,25]. After 3 months of healing, no statistically significant differences were found in osseointegration as well as in bone and soft tissues levels, either with or without load. It was concluded that the healing at implants installed in extraction sockets was comparable to those installed in healed sites. During the earliest weeks of healing, due to the presence of a marginal defect, the most coronal contact of the new bone to the implant surface was obviously located more apically at the immediate implants sites compared to the healed sites. It has to be considered that a systematic review with meta-analysis comparing the clinical outcomes of implants installed in fresh extraction socket or in healed sites suggested that immediate implants affects the failure rates of about 1% more compared to a standard installation in healed sites [26]. Implant stability beyond the apex: Generally, the clinicians try to get primary stability preparing the recipient sites beyond the apex of the alveolus. However, this is not always possible due to the presence of anatomical structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve or the sinus. In an experiment in dogs, the healing at 11 mm long immediate implants placed in recipient sites prepared beyond the apex was compared with that at 6 mm long immediate implants that gained the stability within the alveolus, without reaching the apex [27]. Similar osseointegration was obtained at both sites, including in the apical region of the implants.

Conclusion
In conclusion, several variables may influence the healing at implants installed immediately after tooth extraction. The position and dimensions of the implants in relation of the extraction sockets, the use of alveolar preservation or regenerative techniques, and the presence of neighbor teeth are conditions that will influence the outcome at implants installed immediately after tooth extraction.
to preserve the alveolar crest. A first option to be considered is the use of a larger implant that may fill completely the extraction socket. A couple of experiments in dogs provided a clear answer [10,11]. Implants either with a diameter corresponding to that of the alveoli or with a narrow diameter were installed in the extraction sockets of dogs. Both experiments showed a higher buccal bone resorption at the wider implants compared to the narrow implants. Again, the outcome may be explained by the position of the implant surface in relation to the outer contour of the buccal bone crest that was obviously closer to the wider compared to the narrow implants. These studies also confirmed that a titanium implant is unable to maintain height and width of the buccal bone, as already shown in a clinical study [12].
Buccal gap filled with biomaterial and a collagen membrane:A common treatment of the buccal gaps includes the use of a filler material and/ or a collagen membrane, aiming to preserve the alveolar ridge. It was shown that the use of DBBM (deproteinized bovine bone mineral) might partially prevent a buccal bone resorption, with or without the use of a collagen membrane [6,13]. In an experiment in dogs, the gap at immediate implants was either covered with a collagen membrane alone or left without protection [14]. A lower vertical bone resorption was seen at the sites with the membrane.
It was further observed that, when filler materials and collagen membranes are used at immediate implants, the dimensions of the gap might influence the outcomes. In experiments in dogs, DBBM was used as filler material while the control sites were left untreated. Both sites were covered with a collagen membrane [15][16][17]. It was shown that buccal defects of ~0.6 mm (<1 mm) presented better results at the treated compared to the untreated sites [15]. Buccal defects of ~1.7 mm (1-2 mm) presented similar results in both test and control sites [16]. Finally, defects of ~2.3-2.4 mm (>2 mm) presented better results at the control compared to the treated sites [17]. In this last experiment, residual DBBM granules were seen coronally to the bone crest, embedded into poorly vascularized connective tissue. From these studies, it seems that the wider is the defect the worst is the result at the DBBM sites compared to the untreated sites. It has to be considered that, when DBBM is used in self-contained bone defects, its osteoconductive properties allows the new bone formed from the bone walls to surround the granules and spread towards the central regions of the defect, and eventually fill completely the defect [18]. However, in an extraction socket, the coronal portion of the buccal bone crest will undergo resorption so that, in the coronal region of the alveolus, the self-contained effect will be lost, as well as the source of newly formed bone. This may explain the lack of bone formation and the presence of DBBM granules included into connective tissue in the most coronal region, particles often found by clinicians during surgical re-entries in grafted regions.

Buccal vertical defects:
When buccal vertical defects occur after implants installation into extraction sockets, bone fillers and membranes can be used for regenerative purposes, even though spontaneous closure of the defects have been described [19]. The choice of the biomaterial and its properties may influence the outcomes. In an experiment in dogs, buccal standardized vertical defects of 6 mm in depth were created at the buccal aspect of immediate implants [20]. DBBM or autogenous bone were used at the test and control sites, respectively. A collagen membrane was placed at both sites. After 4 months of healing, a superior coronal and horizontal regeneration was observed at the DBBM sites compared to the autogenous bone sites. The biomaterial granules were found surrounded by new bone while other particles were embedded into connective tissue, especially located on the outer contour of the regenerated bone crest.