A Comparison Between Primary and Secondary Flap Coverage in Extraction Sites: A Pilot Study

This study is being conducted to compare the outcomes of two separate surgical techniques used in tooth extraction and ridge preservation. Ridge preservation is done to potentially minimize the amount of bone loss that occurs between the tooth extraction and implant or bridge placement, as compared to leaving the extraction site empty. There are two techniques that are commonly used for these procedures, either to close the surgical site of the extracted tooth with sutures (closed flap technique) or to leave the extraction site open to heal naturally (open flap technique). In the open flap technique there will be sutures used to secure and hold down the material used to cover the wound, called a non-resorbable membrane. The flaps will remain in their natural position, the site will fill up naturally with new tissue from the bottom up and then close itself in from the sides. The investigators want to see which technique offers better healing and reduces bone loss.