Bone dimensional stability with versus without a stent following apically repositioned flap and single-stage implant placement: a randomized clinical trial.

Maintaining peri-implant bone and tissue health is essential for long-term implant success. The effectiveness of adjunctive stent stabilization is still unclear, though the apically repositioned flap (ARF) improves soft tissue conditions. Therefore, this study assessed whether the use of stents during single-stage placement improves peri-implant bone changes and clinical outcomes following ARF. This randomized clinical trial included twenty partially edentulous patients who were divided into two groups: ARF with stent stabilization (n = 10) and ARF using conventional suturing (n = 10). At baseline, three months, and six months, radiographic bone dimensions measured by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were recorded, along with clinical parameters including probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), and bleeding index (BI). Appropriate statistical tests were used for intragroup and intergroup comparisons (α = 0.05). No statistically significant intergroup differences were observed for any clinical or radiographic outcomes (p > 0.05). Over the course of the trial, PD, PI, and BI remained stable in both groups. Neither group's bone width changed significantly, according to CBCT data. The stent group's bone height remained stable (p = 0.216), the control group's bone height significantly decreased from baseline (p < 0.001), mostly in the early stages of healing. Within the limitations of this randomized clinical trial, ARF performed during single-stage implant placement produced anticipated early bone remodeling and stable peri-implant clinical conditions. When compared to traditional suturing, adjunctive stent stabilization did not offer any significant clinical or radiological advantages.