Ninoska J Barrios Barrios, Lisandra Flores Machado, Fabiana Lora, Maray Folgoso, Awdrey Y Fernandez Saba
Dental implants represent a reliable treatment option for replacing teeth with unfavorable prognoses due to failed endodontic treatment. Maintaining alveolar ridge dimensions after extraction is essential to achieve optimal implant positioning and long-term restorative success. This case report describes the radiographic progression of treatment in a 46-year-old male patient with a failed endodontically treated maxillary left first molar (tooth #14). Radiographic evaluation demonstrated findings consistent with endodontic treatment failure, and extraction was recommended due to the tooth's unfavorable long-term prognosis. Following atraumatic extraction, socket preservation was performed using a bone grafting procedure to maintain alveolar ridge dimensions. After approximately three months of healing, a dental implant was placed in the grafted site. An additional three-month healing period was allowed to facilitate osseointegration. A scan body was subsequently utilized to obtain a digital implant impression for the fabrication of the definitive restoration. Three weeks later, an implant-supported crown was delivered. Serial radiographs documented the treatment sequence from endodontic failure through extraction, socket preservation, implant placement, digital impression acquisition, and delivery of the definitive implant-supported restoration. This report highlights the radiographic progression of staged implant rehabilitation following extraction of a failed endodontically treated maxillary left first molar. The educational value of this report lies in demonstrating how socket preservation can facilitate predictable delayed implant placement and successful restorative rehabilitation through a systematic, staged treatment approach.