Summary
The Socket Shield Technique (SST), a procedure utilized in dental implantology, entails retaining a section of the natural tooth root (the socket shield) in place when an adjacent tooth is extracted, and an implant is placed in the same area. While the technique presents certain advantages, numerous investigations into SST lack of well-designed prospective randomized clinical trials at long term, compromising the credibility and reliability of their findings. The objective of this study was to critically appraise and grade the level of evidence of a systematic review that compare the SST with the conventional immediate implant protocol (CIIP) for anterior tooth rehabilitation. A recent systematic review was appraised to assess the quality and consistency of the study findings. This assessment utilized the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) to facilitate the application of research results to clinical practice decision-making. The assessment of the quality and reliability of the systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the evidence obtained from the study was graded with a strength of recommendation B and a level of evidence 2. SST seems to be a feasible procedure. However, there is insufficient evidence to recommend this technique as an alternative to CIIP in daily practice. Evidence from long-term studies with proper methodology and an adequate sample size is needed to support socket shield technique as an alternative treatment to the conventional immediate implant protocol.
KEY WORDS: aesthetic rehabilitation, socket shield technique, immediate dental implant, meta-analysis, critical appraisal.
How to cite this article
VALENZUELA, D.; JOFRÉ J. J. & ASENJO-LOBOS, C. Comparing Socket Shield Technique and Conventional Immediate Implant Protocol for Anterior Tooth Rehabilitation: A Critical Analysis of a Systematic Review. Int. J. Odontostomat., 18(3):374-379, 2024.
