Partial extraction therapies (PET): a review of the literature

Abstract

ABSTRACT One of the most common dental procedures is tooth extraction; however, the bone defect resulting from the process is only partially restored, leading to considerable bone loss. To rehabilitate a fully or partially edentulous patient, we must handle these sites with delicate surgical procedures. There is a large literature presenting attempts to overcome the negative effects of a dental extraction, with the aim of reducing tissue volume loss or restoring the alveolar architecture. In this context, Partial Extraction Therapy (PET) represents a subgroup of interventions to prevent bone loss after extraction using the tooth itself to prevent alveolar bone loss. This literature review aims to make a survey of the published articles on PET, with an emphasis on socket shield technique, and to explain the other techniques such as root burial, pontic-shield and proximal socket-shield, their indications and counter indications in order to deepen the knowledge of these techniques. To identify the included or considered studies, we adopted a detailed search strategy for MEDLINE and Cochrane Library focused in the last 31 years, whose language was English, Spanish or Portuguese. This text presents an analysis of current data regarding the alternatives for alveolar preservation and the installation of immediate implants in these areas, presenting the possibility of a different surgical technique. However, due to the immaturity and lack of conclusive scientific evidence regarding the predictability of the procedures, it is considered that the use of the socket shield technique must be done in an extremely cautious way.