The Application of Hydroxyapatite in Socket Preservation: A Review of the Past and Current Advancement

Alveolar ridge dimensional loss is a physiologic consequence of tooth extraction. Often, this event causes compromised feasibility of implant placement, prosthetic rehabilitation and esthetic outcome. As an attempt to minimize the shrinkage of the alveolar bone, socket preservation was introduced to intervene with the natural process by providing a scaffold with antibacterial and regenerative properties that aid in the healing process. For past decades, hydroxyapatites (HA) are one of the biomaterials used in socket preservation procedure and was thought to be biocompatible, long-term resorbable or non-resorbable and osteoconductive. Several improvements have been made to enhance the properties of hydroxyapatites that acted in providing a framework during the healing process to provide better outcomes. Here, we summarize the past and current advancements in the use of hydroxyapatite in socket preservation and its future direction.