Ogawa T, Sitalaksmi R M, Miyashita M et al. Effectiveness of the socket shield technique in dental implant: a systematic review. J Prosthodont Res 2021; DOI: 10.2186/jpr.JPR_D_20_00054. Online ahead of print.

The socket shield technique can be used in dental implant treatment, but it remains difficult to predict the long-term success of this technique until high-quality evidence becomes available.

The socket shield technique may be an alternative for a desirable aesthetic outcome in dental implant treatments. A search was completed for clinical studies published from December 2019 to January 2000. Twenty studies were included, comprising one randomised controlled trial, two cohort studies, 14 clinical human case reports, and three retrospective case series. In total, 288 patients treated with the socket shield technique with immediate implant placement and follow-up between 3-60 months after placement were included. A quality assessment showed that 12 of the 20 included studies were of good quality. Twenty-six of the 274 (10%) cases developed complications or adverse effects related to the socket shield technique. Most studies reported implant survival without the complications (91%); most of the cases that were followed up for more than 12 months after implant placement achieved a good aesthetic appearance. The failure rate was low without the complications, although there were some failures due to failed implant osseointegration, socket shield mobility and infection, socket shield exposure, socket shield migration, and apical root resorption.