ObjectivesThe aim of present study was to review current literature concerning extraction socket classification immediately following tooth extraction and the rationales for socket preservation/augmentation procedures and with reference to it suggest novel clinical decision tree for extraction socket preservation/augmentation in aesthetic and non-aesthetic area.Material and MethodsThe search protocol used the electronic MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE databases for articles published between January 1 2009 and May 1 2019. The search included only human studies published in English. Outcomes were the indications and reasons for socket preservation/augmentation and classification of extraction sockets.ResultsTen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for the study. Although there are various types of extraction socket classifications none of them could completely evaluate all morphological parameters of alveolar ridge. Furthermore, present study revealed that indications for extraction socket preservation/augmentation have wider spectrum than socket morphology and are related to surrounding tissue anatomy or dental implantation operation indications and timing. Based on currently proposed extraction socket classifications and rationales, a novel decision tree for extraction socket preservation/augmentation immediately after tooth extraction in aesthetic and non-aesthetic area was suggested.ConclusionsThe need of extraction socket preservation/augmentation immediately after tooth extraction should be determined by the aesthetic, functional and risk-related viewpoint. A novel clinical decision tree for extraction socket preservation/augmentation immediately after tooth extraction in aesthetic and non-aesthetic zones can be useful tool in socket preservation/augmentation procedures.

This study may provide useful information about variations in the position, shape and size, angle of mental foramen, which may help the practitioners to perform safer mental nerve blocks and surgical procedures.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate normal ranges of cortical bone Hounsfield units indices through cone beam CT images, and to investigate their relationships with age and sex. Methods 700 adult human cone beam CT images were evaluated retrospectively, and divided into 4 age groups. Six different cortical bone Hounsfield unit measurements were applied bilaterally, where gender and age were recorded. Collected data were subjected to statistical analysis and ANOVA tests were used for various comparisons. Results The cortical bone measurements between female and male patients were significantly different (p<0.05). Cortical bone thickness indices showed greater values in male patients compare to female patients (p<0.05). Quantitative mandibular indices were significantly lower in first age group (18–30 years) than other three older age groups (p<0.01). Conclusion The results of this study seems to propose a persistent alteration in the mandibular cortical bone with age and that this influced by sex. Further studies with larger patient groups are needed to clarify and understand these mandibular indices.

The presence of the additional mental foramen of the mandible is considered to be a rare anatomical occurrence. Only a few cases have been reported. In these cases, only 1 foramen is called the mental foramen and the others are termed either accessory mental foramen or accessory buccal foramen. The purpose of this article was to present a case with computed tomography images and suggest that preoperative cone beam computed tomography should be performed to detect any anatomical variation. In addition, we present all reasonable terminology to ease the communication through unique terminology among surgeons.