Wound healing of extraction sockets

The extraction of a tooth initiates a series of reparative processes involving both hard tissue (i.e. alveolar bone) and soft tissues (periodontal ligament, gingiva). The biological events occurring during the healing of an extraction socket and their chronological sequence have been evaluated in different animal and human studies. In the present review, the healing process of a tooth extraction wound was described. Factors affecting the histological aspects of the healing phase as well as the post extraction alterations of the ridge dimensions were also considered. Additionally, the healing of an extraction socket where a dental implant has been placed immediately after tooth removal was described in details. Finally, the histological and clinical outcomes of the application of different reconstructive technologies to the post‐extraction socket was evaluated.