Partial Extraction Therapies (PET) Part 2: Procedures and Technical Aspects

Part 1 of this series introduced the partial extraction therapies as a group of techniques for ridge preservation at immediate implant placement and beneath pontic sites. The concept proposes a paradigm shift away from extract and augment toward partly retaining the tooth root to preserve the ridge and prevent buccopalatal collapse. The revolutionary socket-shield technique was introduced in 2010; however, there has been no follow-up literature to guide the clinician in terms of procedural steps. While root submergence is well established, the socket-shield and pontic shield are still in their clinical infancy and require long-term clinical data before they can be proposed as routine in everyday implant dentistry. Yet without sound knowledge on how to carry out the partial extraction therapies, a global dental community cannot participate in their application or contribute to the growing knowledge base. In this, the second part of the series, the procedures for root submergence, socket-shield, and pontic shield are addressed, step by step, supplemented with applicable guidelines as the first such publication guiding the clinician to apply these root- and ridge-preservation techniques. Technical aspects and complication management are also addressed.