Primary flap closure in alveolar ridge preservation for periodontally damaged extraction socket: A randomized clinical trial

Introduction The effect of primary wound closure (PC) on alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in periodontally damaged sockets has yet to be fully discovered. Methods Periodontally damaged sockets were allocated to one of the following groups: (1) ARP with PC (group PC), and (2) ARP without PC (group secondary wound closure [SC]). Following tooth extraction and flap elevation, granule‐type xenogeneic bone substitute material and a collagen barrier were applied. Ridge change was evaluated using cone‐beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans immediately after ARP and at 4 months. Core biopsy specimens were examined histomorphometrically. Results A total of 28 patients were included in the analysis (13 in group PC, 15 in group SC). Histomorphometrically, the percentage of newly formed bone was 26.2 ± 17.7% and 24.6 ± 18.4% in groups PC and SC, respectively (independent t‐test, degree of freedom [df] = 25, p > 0.05). Horizontal ridge changes on CBCT were −4.9 ± 3.1 mm and − 4.2 ± 2.5 mm in groups PC and SC at the 1 mm level below the ridge crest, respectively (independent t‐test, df = 26, p > 0.05). Approximately half of the sites required additional bone augmentation at implant placement. Conclusions ARP with/without PC yielded similar new bone formation and radiographic ridge change. This clinical trial was not registered prior to participant recruitment and randomization (https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/19718).