Implant treatment in the maxillary anterior region requires favorable esthetic and functional outcomes. The buccal bone plate in this region is often thin and prone to resorption after tooth extraction, which may compromise treatment outcomes. The socket shield technique preserves part of the buccal root and the periodontal ligament blood supply, thereby helping to reduce post-extraction bone resorption and maintain the buccal bone plate. After more than 10 years of development, this technique has been increasingly applied in clinical practice and has shown advantages in preserving peri-implant hard and soft tissues. However, it is still associated with strict indications and high technical sensitivity. Based on current literature and our clinical experience, this article reviews case selection, shield design, surgical procedures, current limitations, and future directions of the socket shield technique, with the aim of providing a reference for its clinical application.