Soft Tissue Volume Changes in Posterior Socket Sealing Abutment.

The aim is to clinically evaluate the effect of the alveolar sealing technique using a customised abutment on soft tissue volume changes following molar extraction and immediate dental implant placement. Thirty patients in ASA I-II health status who require immediate post-extraction implant treatment in the molar area were recruited after giving their informed consent, and were randomly allocated to two parallel groups (customised abutment vs. conventional abutment). The randomisation list was generated with the List Randomizer tool (Random.org), and allocation was performed by a secretary external to the research team after implant placement. The soft tissue status is recorded before and 6 months after treatment by means of a digital impression taken with the same intraoral scanner. The patient completes a 7-question questionnaire on their perception of the therapeutic process and the final result. A comparative volume measurement is made by digitally superimposing the two mesh files obtained before and 6 months after treatment. Digital models are anonymised and measured by an independent outcome assessor blinded to group allocation. Statistical data are analysed by an external statistician.