Hard and soft tissue analysis of alveolar ridge preservation in esthetic zone using deproteinized bovine bone mineral and a saddle connective tissue graft: A long‐term prospective case series

Although alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures appear to limit bone resorption after dental extraction, long-term outcomes remain limited. The objective of this prospective case series was to evaluate the long-term hard and soft tissue changes after ARP procedure in the aesthetic area, using deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and saddle connective tissue graft.Fifteen patients were subjected to ARP and impressions and CT scans were taken at baseline and 3 months. After 5 to 7 years, a secondary long-term clinical and radiological analysis was carried out. Horizontal alveolar bone changes, soft tissue profiles and implant outcomes were assessed.Although a limited hard and soft tissue remodeling occurred during the first 3 months after ARP, from 3 months to the long-term evaluation, the alveolar bone dimensions remained stable and the soft tissue profiles significantly increased, in the more cervical levels. The implant survival rate after 5 to 7 years yielded 100% and peri-implant bone levels and soft tissue health were good.Within the limits of the study, the present data confirms the long-term effectiveness of ARP using DBBM and a saddle connective tissue graft offering stable hard and soft tissue conditions up to 5 to 7 years.