Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Alveolar Ridge Preservation (ARP) on subsequent implant placement procedures and to identify prognostic factors for ARP in relation to future implant placement (IP).

Methods: Electronic and paper records of patients receiving one or more extraction with or without Alveolar Ridge Preservation (ARP) followed by implant placement were reviewed in this study. Exclusion criteria were sites receiving immediate implant placement or sites with inadequate information or missing data on records. The need for additional bone augmentation at the time of Implant Placement (IP) was considered as the primary outcome measure. Demographic, systemic and site related factors were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was applied to predict the odds ratio (OR) of the need for further grafting at IP.

Results: Out of a total of 1300 records reviewed, 710 subjects with 1,242 implants met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. No statistical significant difference was detected between sites receiving ARP and sites without ARP when considering the need for bone augmentation at time of IP (p = 0.763). None of the factors evaluated showed a strong association with grafting at the time of IP except for the use of a membrane (p = 0.009) and the type of membrane used (p = 0.012) with ARP.

Conclusions: In this retrospective study, there is a weak association between ARP and the need for additional bone augmentation at the time of IP.