In spite of loss of the buccal plate, there is no clinical sign of collapsing post-extraction (Fig.3 *).  The buccal plate feels like paper thin with surgical curette exploration.  The apical bone is apparently totally lost, where apicoectomy was done previously.

Probably because of the paper thin bony structure, the buccal plate looks more bulky than usual when bone graft is placed.

It is due to total loss of apical bone and a large buccal gap (large socket (shown here) and palatally-placed implant), a piece of collagen membrane is placed prior to bone grafting (guided bone regeneration, internally (from inside of the socket)).

How to Close Fistula Last Next

Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 12/07/2014, last revision 05/27/2018