CONNECTIVE-TISSUE GRAFTING FOR PRIMARY CLOSURE OF EXTRACTION SOCKETS TREATED WITH AN OSTEOPROMOTIVE MEMBRANE TECHNIQUE - SURGICAL TECHNIQUEAND CLINICAL-RESULTS

This article describes a grafting technique using connective tissue to predictably obtain primary closure of extraction sockets treated with an osteopromotive membrane technique. This technique was used for a t otal of 24 sites in 22 consecutive patients to regenerate alveolar bon e in severely damaged ridges and in conjunction with implants immediat ely installed into extraction sites. Two sites (8.3%) were complicated by premature membrane exposure that necessitated early removal. In th e remaining 22 sites, membranes remained completely covered for a mean period of 23.75 weeks (SD = 8.27 weeks: range = 10 to 38 weeks).