Sealing Socket Abutments (SSAs) in Molar Immediate Implants with a Digitalized CAD/CAM Protocol: Soft Tissue Contour Changes and Radiographic Outcomes After 2 Years

Immediate implant placement in molar sites has the potential to improve the patient experience by reducing the number of appointments and the overall treatment time. However, primary closure remains a technical challenge. The present prospective case series evaluated the soft tissue contours and the radiographic bone levels of 17 patients who received immediate implants in molar sites and a digitally customized CAD/CAM sealing socket abutment. At the 2-year follow-up, the mean buccal tissue contours at the most coronal portion were reduced horizontally by an average of 1 mm at 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm below the gingival margin. A mean 0.53-mm apical migration of the gingival margin was seen, and the mean interproximal bone level at the 2-year follow-up was 0.89 mm. The use of CAD/CAM-generated customized healing abutments in immediate molar sites yielded minimal hard and soft tissue changes at the 2-year follow-up.