DT News - India - AI uncovers global trends in socket shield technique research

Dr. Rajeev Chitguppi

Sat. 5 July 2025

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Embarking on a pioneering journey, a new artificial intelligence (AI)-driven bibliometric analysis has unveiled the scientific landscape of the Socket Shield Technique (SST)—an increasingly popular method in implant dentistry that aims to preserve bone and soft tissue for superior aesthetic outcomes.

First introduced in 2010, SST involves retaining a section of the tooth root during implant placement to prevent post-extraction bone resorption. Despite its growing use, no comprehensive analysis of global research trends on this technique has been conducted to date.

Researchers from the University of Illinois, Chicago and Loma Linda University used advanced AI tools to analyse 157 studies on SST published between 2010 and 2024. Their findings reveal a steady increase in research, particularly after 2015, reflecting the growing clinical adoption of this approach. The United States, China, and India emerged as the top contributing countries in terms of publication volume, indicating their significant role in advancing SST research. At the same time, Germany led in overall citation impact, with Switzerland, France, and South Africa also contributing high-impact research.

The most-cited work remains the original 2010 study by Hürzeler et al., which first described the technique. Notable contributors in the field include Gluckman, H., Kher, U., and Kan, JYK, reflecting a highly collaborative research environment.

Dr. Udatta Kher is a notable contributor in the field of partial extraction therapy in implant dentistry. In his 2019 interview with Dental Tribune South Asia, Dr. Kher had stated, "Partial Extraction Therapy (PET) will become the default technique in the future."

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The analysis also highlights the rising role of AI in dental research. By automating literature screening and mapping co-authorship networks, AI not only enhanced the efficiency of this review but also identified emerging research themes such as partial extraction therapy (a technique that involves leaving a portion of the root in the socket during extraction), root membrane technique, and ridge preservation.

For practising dentists, the study underscores SST’s potential to minimise invasive procedures, reduce treatment time, and improve aesthetic outcomes. However, the authors caution that while the future looks promising, long-term, high-level clinical studies are still needed to confirm its widespread applicability and ensure patient safety.

This AI-powered approach may serve as a model for future research in implantology, helping clinicians and researchers stay ahead of evolving trends in dental care.

Citation: Fang Q, Ramachandran RA, Koseoglu M, Kan J, Sukotjo C. Socket shield technique in implant dentistry: An AI-based bibliometric analysis. J Prosthet Dent. 2025 Jun 11:S0022-3913(25)00456-1. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2025.05.014. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40506306.

Topics:

Dental Implantology

Tags:

Dental implant Extraction socket Implant dentistry Partial Extraction Therapy (PET) Socket shield

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