Dr. Alfonso Caiazzo

A patient presented with a fractured maxillary first molar (tooth 16) requiring extraction. Due to significant bone loss, a staged approach was planned, performing bone augmentation followed by delayed implant placement.

Following tooth extraction, NOVAMag^® SHIELD was placed on the buccal side in a flapless approach to replace the missing wall and provide space for proper bone regeneration in the socket. The extraction socket was grafted with cerabone^® followed by folding the external apical part of NOVAMag^® SHIELD over the alveolus to provide structural reinforcement. The soft tissue was sutured, intentionally leaving the folded portion of the shield exposed.

At the five-month re-entry, the ridge exhibited excellent preservation, allowing for implant placement without the need for additional GBR. After a further three-month period, the final prosthetic restoration was delivered.

Despite the thin socket walls, NOVAMag^® SHIELD effectively preserved the alveolar architecture. This approach eliminates the need for a more invasive GBR technique while achieving a successful aesthetic outcome.