Immediate Ridge Augmentation Using Autogenous Tooth Root as a Block Graft in a Periodontally Hopeless Extraction Site: A Pilot Study

The aim of the our study was to assess the efficacy of autogenous tooth root as a block bone graft in reconstructing the vertical and horizontal dimensions at periodontally hopeless extraction sites both clinically and radiographically. A total of 13 patients having a tooth with periodontally hopeless prognosis and indicated for extraction were included in the study. Following atraumatic extraction, the tooth was processed to create a decoronated cementum-free dentin block which was used to augment the extraction socket. The augmentation of periodontally hopeless socket with tooth block autograft resulted in a gain of clinical ridge width of 5.9 mm radiographically, the apico-coronal defect depth reduced up to 8.2 mm (P = .001), and a gain in ridge width of 5.8 mm postoperatively after 6 months (P = .001). The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of using tooth root as a block graft for ridge augmentation in the periodontally hopeless extraction site making it suitable for implant placement in future.