Wound Closure and Simultaneous Soft Tissue Augmentation at Fresh Extraction Sockets: A Simplified Technique Adopting a Xenogeneic Collagen Matrix

A simplified surgical technique is presented for closure and soft tissue augmentation of fresh extraction sockets that utilizes a xenogeneic collagen matrix as a substitute for a combined onlay-interpositional connective tissue graft. Ten alveoli receiving a socket preservation procedure (n = 5) or an immediate submerged implant (n = 5) were sealed with a xenogeneic collagen matrix, stabilized under small palatal and buccal full-thickness envelope flaps. Eight weeks after surgery, full wound closure was achieved in 9 out of 10 sites with satisfactory esthetic integration (mean Delta E score: 3.76). Results from this descriptive observational study suggest that this technique may represent a valuable and minimally invasive solution to simplify closure and soft tissue augmentation of fresh extraction sockets.