COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF TRAUMATIC FRACTURE IN MAXILLARY CENTRAL INCISORS USING SOCKET SHIELD TECHNIQUE AND IMMEDIATE IMPLANT PLACEMENT: A CASE REPORT

Suraj Vishweshwar, Shaista Afroz, Sabzar Abdullah, Soumyadeep Sarkar **, Orooj Fatima

ABSTRACT

Background:
Traumatic dental injuries in the maxillary anterior region can significantly compromise aesthetics
an d function. Preservation of the alveolar ridge following extraction is essential for successful implant
rehabilitation, particularly in the aesthetic zone. The socket shield technique (SST) preserves the buccal root
fragment and periodontal ligament, maint aining bundle bone and soft tissue contours. When combined with
immediate implant placement and bone grafting, SST enhances the predictability of aesthetic outcomes. Case
DescriptionL: This case report describes the management of a 21 year old male patient with traumatic fractures of
the maxillary central incisors. Tooth 11 was treated with root canal therapy and restored with a full coverage
crown. Tooth 21, deemed non restorable, was treated by extracting the palatal root fragment while retaining the
bucc al root segment as a socket shield. A 4.2 × 11.5 mm implant was placed immediately in a palatal position, and
the jumping gap was filled with xenograft. The implant was left unloaded during healing. After four months,
successful osseointegration and dome s haped bone retention around the coronal implant region were confirmed
radiographically. Cement retained zirconia crowns were fabricated for both teeth, achieving favourable aesthetic
and functional results. Conclusion: The socket shield technique combined with immediate implant placement and
bone grafting provides a predictable strategy for preserving ridge contour and soft tissue aesthetics in the anterior
maxilla. This biologically driven approach, along with appropriate prosthetic planning, ensures stabl e functional
and aesthetic outcomes, even in young patients with traumatic dental injuries.

Keywords: Socket shield technique, immediate implant, anterior esthetics, dental trauma, bone grafting, delayed loading, cement retained prosthesis.