Evaluation of Healing at Molar Extraction Sites With and Without Ridge Preservation

Following tooth extraction ridge preservation procedure have been suggested to limit bone resorptive dimensional changes to facilitate prospective implant placement. While this is particularly true for anterior teeth, no evidence is available to establish clinical guidelines in posterior sites, i.e. following molar extraction. This research project will answer the following question: What are the dimensional changes of the hard and soft tissues encountered following molar extractions with and without ridge preservation?