SIX-MONTH DIMENSIONAL CHANGES IN THE ALVEOLAR BONE AND RIDGE FOLLOWING IMMEDIATE IMPLANT PLACEMENT: A COMPARISON OF IMMEDIATE PROVISIONAL RESTORATION AND FREE GINGIVAL GRAFT SOCKET SEALING IN A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL PILOT STUDY

Abstract

This prospective observational pilot study aimed to compare changes in alveolar bone width, alveolar ridge width, and alveolar ridge volume following immediate implant placement using immediate provisional restoration (IP) and free gingival graft socket sealing (FGG) over six months. Eight participants were included, with four in each group. Alveolar bone width was measured using cone-beam computed tomography, while ridge width and volume were assessed using digital models taken immediately after surgery and at six months. Between-group differences were analyzed using the exact Mann-Whitney U test (*p* < 0.05). At six months, the median reduction in alveolar bone width was 0.86 mm in the IP group and 2.08 mm in the FGG group, showing a significantly smaller reduction in the IP group (*p* = 0.029). The median reduction in alveolar ridge width was 0.99 mm in the IP group and 2.21 mm in the FGG group, with no statistically significant difference (*p* = 0.200). Similarly, the median percentage reduction in alveolar ridge volume was 6.79% and 6.97%, respectively, with no significant difference (*p* = 0.686). Within the limitations of this non-randomized pilot study, immediate provisional restoration was associated with significantly less alveolar bone width reduction than free gingival graft socket sealing. However, changes in alveolar ridge width and volume did not differ significantly between groups. Baseline differences may have influenced the results; therefore, the observed findings cannot be attributed solely to the socket-sealing method.

Keywords: Immediate Implant Placement, Immediate Provisional Restoration, Free Gingival Graft, Alveolar Bone, Alveolar Ridge