on Point The Use of Dental lasers and Ridge Preservation by Robert Lowe, DDS T The patient (Figure 1) presented with por- the age of the patient (28 y/o), it is imperative celain laminate veneers on tooth numbers to think about preserving the alveolar ridge for 4 to 12. Tooth number 7 had marginal gin- long-term esthetics. One of the advantages of givitis and was sensitive to percussion. She implant placement is that the alveolar ridge will was treated for acute pulpitis with root canal be preserved for the patient. In lieu of implant therapy, but the pain persisted. The endodontics placement, bone (socket) grafting (filling the ex- specialist made a diagnosis of root fracture and traction site) will help preserve not only the in- the tooth was scheduled for removal. Although terproximal alveolar ridge height that is critical there was adequate space for a dental implant to replace the lost tooth, the patient elected to have a three-unit bridge placed instead. Given “ ne of the advantages of O implant placement is that the alveolar ridge will be preserved for the patient.” Figure 1. This is a full arch retracted preoperative view of a patient that has had elective esthetic dentistry in place on the maxillary arch for seven years.Tooth number seven has been di- agnosed with a mid root fracture and is scheduled for removal. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • VOL. 6 | Contemporary product solutions | 29