Abstract: Objective To investigate the short-term clinical outcomes of immediate implantation and delayed implantation following alveolar ridge preservation for single-tooth loss in the aesthetic zone. Methods A total of 90 patients with single-tooth loss in the aesthetic zone requiring implant restoration were selected from January 2021 to September 2022 at the Implant Department of Zhengzhou Zhide Stomatology Hospital. Based on the use of alveolar ridge preservation and timing of implantation, the patients were divided into two groups: the immediate implantation group (n=45) and the alveolar ridge preservation group (n=45). The immediate implantation group underwent the immediate implant placement and restoration, while the alveolar ridge preservation group received delayed implantation after ridge preservation, followed by immediate restoration. Alveolar bone-related parameters, inflammatory markers[C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)], aesthetic outcomes[pink esthetic score (PES) and white esthetic score (WES)], and patient satisfaction were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results After 6 months of implant restoration, both groups showed reductions in alveolar bone height, width, and density compared to baseline (P<0.05); however, the immediate implantation group exhibited higher values than the alveolar ridge preservation group (P<0.05). One month post-restoration, CRP and TNF-α levels increased in both groups compared to baseline (P<0.05), but levels in the immediate implantation group were significantly lower than in the alveolar ridge preservation group (P<0.05). After 6 months of permanent restoration, the immediate implantation group demonstrated superior outcomes in lip-side gingival contour, gingival height, soft tissue color, texture, and PES total scores compared to the alveolar ridge preservation group (P<0.05). Similarly, crown profile, surface texture scores, and WES scores were higher in the immediate implantation group (P<0.05). Patient satisfaction regarding gingival attachment height, aesthetics, and masticatory function was also higher in the immediate implantation group (P<0.05). Conclusion Both immediate implantation and delayed implantation following alveolar ridge preservation are effective for treating single-tooth loss in the aesthetic zone. However, immediate implantation demonstrates greater advantages in improving alveolar bone quality, oral aesthetics, inflammation responses, and patient satisfaction.

Key words: Immediate implantation, Alveolar ridge preservation, Aesthetic outcomes, Alveolar bone parameters, Patient satisfaction