Healing of dehiscence defects at delayed-immediate implant sites primarilyclosed by a rotated palatal flap following extraction

In 21 patients, 28 maxillary teeth were extracted because of periapical or periodontal infection, root fracture, or untreatable caries. A rotated pala tal flap procedure was used to achieve primary soft tissue closure over ext raction sites. At 5 to 7 weeks postextraction, 28 implants were placed, Buc cal dehiscence-type defects were treated with guided bone regeneration proc edures using bovine bone mineral and resorbable collagen membranes. Mean de fect area at the time of implant placement (23.7 mm(2), SD 11.49) was signi ficantly reduced at uncovering (0.7 mm(2), SD 0.99). The mean percentage of defect reduction (clinical bone fill) was 97% (SD 4.26). Implants placed i n compromised sites shortly postextraction according to the presented 2-sta ge protocol gave good short-term clinical results.