Can leaving a sliver of tooth root save your smile after an implant?
NCT ID NCT07822685
First seen Sep 16, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers compare two methods for replacing a missing front upper tooth with an implant right after extraction. One method, the Socket-Shield technique, leaves a thin piece of the tooth root in place to help protect the jawbone and gums. The other method uses the standard approach without preserving that root fragment. The trial measures changes in bone thickness, implant success, gum appearance, and patient satisfaction in about 48 adults.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Socket-Shield technique for immediate dental implant placement, which preserves a piece of the tooth root to protect the surrounding bone and gum
- What this could lead to
- If it works, the Socket-Shield approach could help people keep more jawbone and a natural-looking gum line after a front tooth implant.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is small, with about 48 people, and it only looks at front upper teeth. The preserved root fragment could cause problems, and results may not apply to other teeth or to people with gum disease.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 48 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 18 to 65 years old; * Good general health, able to tolerate oral implant surgery, with no absolute surgical contraindications (ASA I or II); * Clinical diagnosis of an unrestorable maxillary anterior tooth, suitable for immediate implant placement; ④ Periodontal tissues are basically healthy, with no obvious active infection in the apical area; ⑤ No obvious root fracture on the labial/buccal side or severe mobility preoperatively; radiographic evaluation confirms that the bone volume in the surgical site meets the requirements of the protocol; ⑥ Willing to accept randomization and standardized follow-up, and has signed the Informed Consent Form; ⑦ Able to provide complete intraoral photographs, CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scans, and follow-up data. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of severe systemic diseases that may affect the surgery or healing, or current use of related medications such as bisphosphonates; * Severe periodontal disease or uncontrolled poor oral hygiene; * Obvious inflammation in the apical area of the affected tooth, or pathological root resorption; ④ Abnormal occlusal relationship, obvious bruxism, or inability to establish a stable restorative occlusion; * Pregnancy or lactation, or unsuitability for radiographic examination; ⑥ History of previous surgery or radiotherapy affecting the bone volume or soft tissues in the target area, which the investigator deems would seriously interfere with the evaluation; ⑦ Expected inability to complete the follow-up, or refusal to comply with the study requirements.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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