Changes in alveolar process dimensions following extraction of molars with advanced periodontal disease: A clinical pilot study

Abstract Objective To use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess the alterations of socket dimensions after a 6‐month healing period following molar extraction. Materials and methods Seventeen molars were extracted due to advanced periodontitis. CBCT scans were taken immediately after extraction and once more 6 months later. Superimposition of CBCT images was used to measure the following: horizontal changes at extraction sites at three corono‐apical levels (−1, −3, and −5 mm) below the bone crest, three mesio‐distal levels (mesial, central, and distal), vertical changes at nine regions of the alveolar crest, and alveolar bone volume. Results The width of the central crests at −1 mm decreased by 0.59 and 0.72 mm in the buccal and 0.27 and 0.02 mm in the lingual, in the maxilla and mandible, respectively. No statistically significant decreases in the ridge height were observed except in the disto‐palatal region with a 1.11 mm decrease in the maxilla ( p < 0.05). Heights of the buccal and lingual bone plates decreased significantly and ranged from 0.56 to 1.38 mm in the mandible after 6 months of healing ( p < 0.05). Overall, ridge height changes were not significantly different between the maxilla and mandible ( p > 0.05) and no significant volumetric bone loss occurred in either maxillary or mandibular sockets after 6 months of healing. Conclusions Socket dimensions of molars with advanced periodontal disease showed a significant increase at the middle‐central portion, although there were no significant changes of horizontal width 6 months following the procedures.