A dry socket is
painful inflammation
of the alveolar bone surrounding the extraction site. It occurs when the
blood clots are dislodged, fall out prematurely, or fail to form.This
may be beyond the control of the patient. Most to the time, patients disregard
the instructions given by us. Smoking, blowing your nose, spitting, sneezing
or playing a musical instrument can cause a dry socket.
It is more common in smokers and in diabetics. It is also common that if
a patient has had a dry socket in the past following a complicated extraction
to have another one..
The treatment is cleaning the socket under local anesthetic to cause another
blood clot to form or prescribe medications. A dry socket paste may be
used in the site to stop discomfort.
