Post-extraction mesio-distal gap reduction assessment by confocal laser scanning microscopy - a clinical 3-month follow-up study.

AIM: The aim of this 3-month follow-up study is to quantify the reduction in the mesio-distal gap dimension (MDGD) that occurs after tooth extraction through image analysis of three-dimensional images obtained with the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following tooth extraction, impressions of 79 patients 1 month and 72 patients 3 months after tooth extraction were obtained. Cast models were processed by CLSM, and MDGD changes between time points were measured. RESULTS: The mean mesio-distal gap reduction 1 month after tooth extraction was 343.4 mum and 3 months after tooth extraction was 672.3 mum. The daily mean gap reduction rate during the first term (between baseline and 1 month post-extraction measurements) was 10.3 mum/day and during the second term (between 1 and 3 months) was 5.4 mum/day. CONCLUSIONS: The mesio-distal gap reduction is higher during the first month following the extraction and continues in time, but to a lesser extent. When the inter-dental contacts were absent, the mesio-distal gap reduction is lower. When a molar tooth is extracted or the distal tooth to the edentulous space does not occlude with an antagonist, the mesio-distal gap reduction is larger. The consideration of mesio-distal gap dimension changes can help improve dental treatment planning.