ABSTRACT
As a result of the high predictability of dental implantology, successful osseointegration is no longer the primary challenge. Rather, esthetics has emerged as the primary challenge. Hard and soft tissue ridge augmentation, performed either in preparation for later implant placement or concurrently with implant placement, has been described in the literature for the esthetic zone. These procedures are still evolving. If, however, ridge collapse can be prevented or minimized after tooth extraction, more predictable outcomes with better esthetics can be accomplished, along with fewer surgical procedures. This article describes a technique for esthetic extraction, as well as delayed esthetic single-stage implant placement, in the maxillary anterior sextant.
