The Socket Shield Technique

The replacement of an anterior tooth with an implant is one of the most difficult challenges for the implant surgeon. Changes to the hard and soft tissues of the alveolar ridge following tooth extraction result in loss of buccal lingual width, loss of bone height, loss of height of the interdental papilla, and flattening of the arch. While placing a dental implant can restore the function of the arch, restoring the aesthetic form can be significantly more challenging, particularly in patients with a high smile line. This chapter discusses the socket shield technique, an alternative to total tooth extraction in which a thin “shield” of dentin is left in the socket to prevent resorption of bone, resulting in preservation of hard and soft tissue contours and superior aesthetic results.