Socket preservation with medical grade calcium sulfate hemihydrate: a radiographic study evaluating the dimensional changes of the alveolar ridge

Background and aim: medical grade calcium sulfate hemihydrate (mgcsh) is usedas a bone graft material for socket preservation. this study aimed to evaluate thechanges in bone width and height after tooth extraction and socket preservationwith mgcsh using cone-beam computed tomography (cbct).materials and methods: this study evaluated 17 systemically healthy patientsover a 1-year period. the patients were selected among those presenting to anoutpatient department. cbct was taken with a radiographic stent and extractionwas performed; socket dimensions were measured. socket preservation wasperformed using mgcsh. after 3 months, another cbct was taken, and socketdimensions were measured. the change in socket dimensions was quantified bycomparing the preoperative and postoperative radiographs. comparisons weremade by paired t test.results: at 3 mm from the initial ridge crest, the mean bone width was 6.24 ± 1.73before and 4.74 ± 1.91 mm after 3 months; this difference was statisticallysignificant (p<0.001). at 6 mm, the mean bone width was 7.05 ± 1.50 before and5.49 ± 1.82 mm after 3 months; this difference was also statistically significant (p<0.001). at 9 mm, the mean bone width was 7.46 ± 2.16 mm before and 5.71 ± 1.75mm after 3 months; this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). the initialmean height was 12.16 ± 2.21mm, which changed to 12.99 ± 2.69 mm at 3 months,with no significant difference (p=0.22).conclusion: socket preservation with mgcsh caused a significant change in ridgewidth, but not in ridge height.