This review focuses on intrasocket reactive tissue and its impact on extraction socket healing. It summarises the current knowledge about intrasocket reactive tissue from a histopathological and biological perspective and discusses the mechanisms by which residual intrasocket reactive tissue can have a positive or negative effect on healing. Additionally, it provides an overview of the various hand and rotary instruments that are currently used for intrasocket reactive tissue debridement. The review also discusses preserving intrasocket reactive tissue as a socket sealing material and the benefits this may offer. It presents clinical cases where either removal or preservation of intrasocket reactive tissue was adopted following extraction and prior to alveolar ridge preservation. Future studies are needed to investigate the suggested beneficial effects of intrasocket reactive tissue on socket healing outcomes.
Keywords: alveolar ridge preservation; granulation tissue; granulomatous tissue; socket healing; tooth extraction; wound healing.