Evaluation of alveolar bone resorption after tooth extraction with dental volumetric tomography

Resorption occurring in the buccal bone after tooth extraction negatively affects the patient's health and aesthetic expectations. several atraumatic tooth extraction methods have been developed to minimize damage to the buccal bone. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical study is to compare the amount of alveolar bone resorption, soft tissue healing, and patient's pos-operative pain following tooth extraction using a periotome and an elevator. In the test group, tooth extraction was performed by using a periotome whereas in the control group with an elevator and dental forceps. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging was performed within 24 hours and at 3 months after tooth extraction for both groups. Visual analog scale (VAS) was provided to assess the post extraction pain, and patients were asked to rate the pain experienced during the first 7 days. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of pain and soft tissue healing evaluated at the 7th day after tooth extraction (p>0.05). Radiological evaluation using CBCT at 3 months showed no statistically significant difference in buccal bone height and bucco-lingual/palatal bone width between the groups (p>0.05). However, the socket filling percentage was found to be statistically higher in the test group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Within the limits of this study, no superiority of the periotome over the traditional elevator could be established. Long-term follow-up studies with increased sample size and histological evaluations are needed.