Socket preservation with medical grade calcium sulfate hemihydrate: a radiographic study evaluating the dimensional changes of the alveolar ridge

Medical grade calcium sulfate hemihydrate (MGCSH) is used as a bone graft material for socket preservation. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in bone width and height after tooth extraction and socket preservation with MGCSH using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

This study evaluated 17 systemically healthy patients over a 1-year period. The patients were selected among those presenting to an outpatient department. CBCT was taken with a radiographic stent and extraction was performed; socket dimensions were measured. Socket preservation was performed using MGCSH. After 3 months, another CBCT was taken, and socket dimensions were measured. The change in socket dimensions was quantified by com-paring the preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Comparisons were made by paired t test.

At 3 mm from the initial ridge crest, the mean bone width was 6.24 ± 1.73 be-fore and 4.74 ± 1.91 mm after 3 months; this difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). At 6 mm, the mean bone width was 7.05 ± 1.50 before and 5.49 ± 1.82 mm after 3 months; this difference was also statistically significant (P< 0.001). At 9 mm, the mean bone width was 7.46 ± 2.16 mm before and 5.71 ± 1.75 mm after 3 months; this difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The initial mean height was 12.16 ± 2.21mm, which changed to 12.99 ± 2.69 mm at 3 months, with no signifi-cant difference (P=0.22).

Socket preservation with MGCSH caused a significant change in ridge width, but not in ridge height.