Alveolar Ridge Preservation in the Posterior Maxilla: Clinical and Economic Evaluation After Extraction of Maxillary Molars

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in the posterior maxilla after the extraction of maxillary molars to address bone and soft tissue loss that occurs following tooth removal. This study focuses on improving implant therapy by examining whether immediate or delayed grafting better supports bone and soft tissue maintenance, considering challenges like sinus pneumatization and dimensional changes in the extraction site. The research is conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University using a multidisciplinary model combining periodontics and prosthodontics expertise. The study compares two grafting approaches: immediate grafting using Ossix Plus membrane and Ossix bone graft right after tooth extraction, and delayed grafting performed at the time of implant placement using Ossix Agile membrane and Ossix bone graft if needed. Both materials are FDA approved and used according to manufacturers' instructions in standard care. Treatment plans are personalized based on preoperative analysis to reduce the number of grafting procedures while aiming for ideal implant positioning. Participants will be followed up at 2 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after implant placement to assess patient-reported outcomes using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and clinical and radiographic measures such as bone thickness, soft tissue thickness, sinus pneumatization, bone height and width, and marginal bone levels. The study includes thorough surgical and prosthetic planning, digital workflows, and continuous patient monitoring to evaluate the clinical and economic effectiveness of ARP strategies in a controlled academic setting.

Alveolar Ridge Preservation (ARP) in the Posterior Maxilla After the Extraction of Maxillary Molars