Osseous Regeneration in Compromised Extraction Sites: A Ten-Year Case Study

One of the many problems facing surgeons is finding adequate bone sites for implant support. Without adequate bone, there can be implant failure or poor esthetic results. By using guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes and bone grafting materials, implants may be placed into immediate extraction sites and areas with large osseous defects with an expectation of long-term positive results. These concepts are illustrated by comparing the results of a ten-year follow-up evaluation of a patient lacking healthy bone at the implant site with another case in which the implant site had bone of acceptable morphology and density, with both cases showing similarly good results.