Bone healing dynamics at buccal peri-implant sites

Background: It is common belief that immediate implant placement into extraction sites may act to preserve the alveolar process. The objective of this study was to evaluate healing dynamics at buccal peri‐implant sites in relation to the dimensions of the alveolar ridge. Methods: Bilateral, critical‐size, supraalveolar, peri‐implant defects were created in 12 male Hound Labrador mongrel dogs following surgical horizontal cut‐down of the alveolar ridge. Each jaw quadrant received three 10‐mm titanium implants placed 5 mm into extraction sites of the third and fourth premolar teeth leaving 5 mm in a supraalveolar position. The mucoperiosteal flaps were advanced, adapted, and sutured for primary intention healing. Bone fluorescent markers were administered at weeks 3 and 4 postsurgery, and pre‐euthanasia. Incandescent, polarized, and fluorescent light microscopies were used to assess the width of the buccal wall of the alveolar ridge and local bone remodeling over the 8‐week healing interval. Results: There was a significant association between the width of the buccal alveolar ridge and extent of bone resorption evaluated by incandescent and fluorescent light microscopy. A non‐linear association was observed between the buccal ridge width and resorption of the alveolar ridge. A 2‐mm threshold was established to account for this non‐linearity. The strength of this association was two times greater in specimens with a buccal ridge width