Vertical Root Extraction for Immediate Implant

Plain-language summary

Immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone has become a preferred treatment modality due to its potential to shorten treatment duration, reduce surgical interventions, and preserve the natural contour of peri-implant tissues (Chen \& Buser, 2009; Lang et al., 2012). Despite these advantages, the technique remains surgically demanding, especially in the anterior maxilla, where the labial plate is often thin and highly susceptible to post-extraction resorption (Spray et al., 2000; Chappuis et al., 2017). The greatest dimensional changes in alveolar ridge volume occur within the first 8-12 weeks after tooth extraction, with reductions in both height and width of the buccal bone crest (Araújo \& Lindhe, 2005; Tan et al., 2012). This remodeling compromises mucogingival architecture, often leading to mid-facial soft tissue recession and esthetic failures. Conventional extraction methods, which apply rotational or lateral forces using elevators and forceps, risk fracturing the socket walls and accelerating bone loss (Araujo \& Lindhe, 2009; Oghli \& Steveling, 2010). The introduction of atraumatic extraction systems aimed to address this challenge. The Benex vertical extraction system operates by inserting a screw into the root canal and applying controlled vertical traction. This approach minimizes lateral stress on socket walls, theoretically preserving the thin labial plate, which is critical for esthetic success (Muska et al., 2013; Canellas et al., 2021). Vertical traction avoids socket expansion and microfractures, enabling safer immediate implant placement in compromised situations. Case reports and retrospective series have demonstrated encouraging clinical results with Benex, including intact labial plates on CBCT, high implant survival, and favorable Pink Esthetic Scores (Fürhauser et al., 2005; Canellas et al., 2021). Patients also report reduced discomfort and trauma perception, suggesting potential psychosocial benefits. However, most of the current evidence is based on small-scale case series (Blus \& Szmukler-Moncler, 2010; Singla \& Sharma, 2020), and randomized controlled trials comparing Benex-assisted extraction with conventional atraumatic extraction are lacking. A robust RCT evaluating both objective esthetic outcomes (Midfacial mucosal recession, PES, CBCT bone preservation) and subjective patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) is therefore essential to validate the clinical value of the Benex system in the esthetic zone.

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