Postextraction Alveolar Ridge Preservation: Biological Basis and Treatments

Figure 1

Healing of the extraction socket with and without socket grafting. When socket grafting is not adopted, major alveolar ridge resorption occurs. In a first phase, initially the blood clot, subsequently the granulation tissue and later the provisional matrix and the woven bone fill up the alveolus. The bundle bone is completely resorbed causing a reduction in the vertical ridge. In a second phase, the buccal wall and the woven bone are remodeled causing the horizontal and further vertical ridge reduction. When socket grafting is adopted, the first phase and vertical bone reduction still occur, however, the second phase and the horizontal contraction are reduced.