This retrospective study aimed to compare cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based radiographic changes in alveolar ridge dimensions between extraction sockets treated with alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) using Sticky Bone (SB) combined with an advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) membrane and those undergoing natural healing (NH), assessed at baseline (pre-extraction) and at 6 months post-extraction. The primary outcomes were changes in ridge width, ridge height, and ridge volume, and the need for supplementary augmentation prior to implant placement was recorded as a secondary outcome. Patients with Stage III/IV periodontitis who underwent tooth extraction between January 2021 and June 2025 were retrospectively enrolled. According to whether ARP was performed, patients were assigned to the SB or NH group. All underwent CBCT before extraction and 6 months after healing. Alveolar ridge height, width, and volume changes were measured, and the need for additional bone augmentation during implant placement was recorded. A total of 52 extraction sockets were analyzed, including 25 sockets in the SB group and 27 sockets in the NH group. After 6 months, the SB group showed significantly less ridge width reduction at 1, 3, and 5 mm apical to the crest (p < 0.05). Vertical changes differed between groups, with positive changes in central height and reduced buccal height resorption observed in the SB group (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was found in lingual height. Volumetric analysis indicated greater ridge volume changes in the SB group (p < 0.05). A lower proportion of sockets in the SB group was observed to require supplementary augmentation prior to implant placement (p < 0.05). In this retrospective radiographic analysis, ARP using Sticky Bone in combination with an A-PRF membrane was associated with more favorable radiographic dimensional and volumetric outcomes in periodontally compromised extraction sockets compared with natural healing.
Zheng et al. (Fri,) studied this question.