Dry socket, or localized osteitis is a post-operative complication after a tooth extraction, often a lower third molar (wisdom tooth). This moderate to severely painful dental condition (7-14 days) is a result of sloughing the blood clot at the extraction site. The most common cause is a disturbance of the clot by oral rinses or agitation that interrupts proper clotting. Other factors may include local infection, surgical trauma, foreign bodies, smoking, pregnancy or systemic disease. Post-extraction use of antibiotics is not likely to prevent or remedy a dry socket. Some clinicians have reduced the incidence of dry sockets by using Terra Cortril® ointment or other medicaments with a resorbable gauze sutured into the socket.
There are remedies available (dry socket paste) that effectively alleviate the mouth pain, but do not necessarily hasten the healing process. It's a remedy that's been used for ages, containing various medicaments. It works wonders! Contact your dentist or oral surgeon if you are experiencing pain from a dental extraction that is not relieved by aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol®.
The incidence of a dry socket is greatly reduced by careful observance of post-extraction instructions:
To the dismay of physicians, dentists and other members of the health care team, patients often fail to properly follow instructions after oral surgery. If you have any questions, please address them before leaving the doctor's office.
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