Did you know you can earn dental continuing education (CE) hours through the Dental Digest podcast? We're here to help. Just click here to get started. or visit www.dentaldigestinstitute.com In this episode of the dental digest dental podcast, Dr. Mark Bishara discusses partial extraction therapy (PET) or the socket-shield technique. This is a technique in implant dentistry in which the anterior portion of the root is left in the socket. This root becomes part of the osteotomy site (the site where you place the implant). This enables the final implant to achieve a more esthetic outcome. Typically when the tooth is lost through extraction, the buccal bone resorbs away. This resorption occurs because once the root is extracted, the associated PDL and blood supply leave with the tooth. Once this is lost, the bundle bone (and then eventually the buccal plate) are lost. However, if part of the tooth can be maintained, the associated bone which would normally be lost, is retained. This "tricks" the body into thinking that the tooth is still there. Thus leaving some of the bone behind so a more esthetic outcome can be achieved.  I've created an e-book for you. Click here to download my free ebook "3 biomimetic articles you should know."