IMMEDIATE IMPLANT PLACEMENT - A PROCEDURE WITHOUT INCISIONS

Primary socket closure in immediate implantation may be difficult, due to the opening left by the extracted tooth. The absolute need for bon e augmentation and primary flap closure for implants placed into fresh extraction sites has never been proven. The hypothesis of the present study was that immediate implants can succeed without primary flap cl osure. A technique that does not require any incisions during immediat e implant placement is described. No barrier membranes were used and t he sole grafting material used were autogenous bone chips. Full soft t issue coverage was achieved 1 week to 2 months postimplantation, Clini cal osseointegration was achieved with minimal gingival recession and papillae preservation. Immediate implant placement in the anterior max illa can be successful for replacing a single tooth even without prima ry closure.