Socket shield technique for immediate implant placement

The placement of immediate implants in aesthetic anterior region usually possess a challenge in implant dentistry. After tooth extraction, the buccal bone inevitably undergoes remodelling with associated resorption and diminished horizontal and vertical size of the alveolar ridge. To maintain the original buccal bone dimension after tooth extraction practitioners can choose multiple techniques like atraumatic extraction, immediate implant placement, socket preservation, socket augmentation and extensive buccal bone grafts and barrier membranes. However these techniques could partly compensate but not avoid the resorption process thus a better technique called socket shield technique have been proposed. In socket shield technique, a partial buccal root fragment is retained around an immediately placed implant with the aim of avoiding facial tissue alterations after tooth extraction. The literature related to socket shield technique reports promising solution and hold significant potential for immediate implant placement specifically in anterior aesthetic region. Keywords: Socket Shield, Atraumatic extraction, Immediate implantation Key Message: Socket Shield physiologically helps to preserve labial and buccal bone. Socket shield technique requires minimal material and is minimal invasive. Socket shield with immediate implant placement reduces the required treatment time and number of surgical procedures as compared to a delayed conventional approach