Determinants of Bone Dimensional Changes After Extraction and Alveolar Ridge Preservation

The null hypothesis for this study is that there is no difference in bone ridge width and height changes 4 months following extraction and alveolar ridge preservation at sites that undergo immediate post-extraction socket expansion or no immediate post-extraction ridge width change. Patients of the Graduate Periodontics Clinic at Marquette University School of Dentistry scheduled for extraction, bone graft and resorbable membrane will be recruited for this study. After providing informed consent and prior to local anesthesia and extraction, the following parameters will be recorded: age, gender, race, medical history, medications, tooth site, reason for extraction and tooth mobility. Gingival width will be recorded prior to local anesthesia and extraction, and at 4 months. Gingival thickness will be recorded after local anesthesia and prior to extraction, and at 4 months. Buccolingual ridge width and ridge height will be recorded immediately before, immediately after extraction, and at 4 months. Immediately after extraction, the following measurements will be recorded: buccal bone thickness, number of roots, root length and width, instruments used for extraction, need for flap elevation, duration of extraction, anesthetic amount, type and approach, and operator experience.