Effect of the Buccal Gap Width on Alveolar Process Reduction Following Immediate Implant Placement: A Retrospective CBCT Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of the width of the buccal gap on the alveolar process reduction after immediate implant placement (IIP) at maxillary central incisor sites, compared to contralateral pristine tooth sites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects who were treated with IIP to replace a maxillary central incisor and presented a pristine contralateral tooth site were included in this retrospective cohort study. The width of the gap between the implant and the inner walls of the socket was measured and grafted with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM). Subjects were divided into 2 groups: wide gap: > 2 mm (n = 14); Narrow gap: ≤ 2 mm (n = 14). CBCT scans were obtained after a mean follow-up of 6 (± 4) years and evaluated by a calibrated examiner. Dimensional measurements of the healed alveolar ridge (implant site) and alveolar process (tooth site) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The Narrow gap group showed significantly greater ridge resorption (41.1% ± 20.2%) in relation to the corresponding pristine tooth sites than the wide gap group (8.5% ± 11%). The width of the alveolar ridge at 3 and 5 mm below the crest and the height of the buccal wall were also significantly reduced in the narrow gap group. CONCLUSIONS: A buccal gap > 2-mm wide grafted with DBBM after IIP may preserve more than 90% of the dimensions of the alveolar process. Conversely, a grafted narrow gap frequently results in significantly reduced ridge preservation.
Source: Clinical Oral Implants Research
DOI: 10.1111/clr.70106
Language: English
Subfield: Oral Surgery
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,170
OpenAlex ID: W7135222192