Dry Socket

DONE BY
ILAKKIYA BALASUBRAMANIYAN
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Definition
• Signs & symptoms
• Incidence
• Onset and durarion
• Etiology
• Pathogenesis
• Prophylactic management
• Symptomatic management
• Discussion
“DRY SOCKET” is one of the most common
complication that occurs after extraction of tooth.
The main objective of this paper is to -
• Harmonize descriptive definitions.

• Discuss the etiology and pathogenesis of dry socket.
• The need for identification and elimination of risk
factors.
• The preventive and symptomatic management of
the condition.
1. Alveolar ostitis(AO)
2. Localized osteitis
3. Postoperative alveolitis
4. Alveolalgia
5. Alveolitis sicca dolorosa
6. Septic socket
7. Necrotic socket
8. Localized osteomyelitis
9. Fibrinolytic alveolitis
• One of the most common post operative
complications following the extraction of
permanent teeth is a condition known as “
DRY SOCKET”.
• This term has been used in the literature
since 1896, when it was first described by
“CRAWFORD”.
• “FIBRINOLYTIC ALVEOLITIS” is the most
accurate of all the terms of dry socket, but is
also the least used in the literature.
• In most cases, the more generic lay term
“dry socket” tends to be used.
A descriptive definition that could be used
universally as a standardized definition for dry
socket :
• post operative pain in and around the
extraction site , which increases in
• Severity at any time between 1 and 3 days

after the extraction
• Accompanied by a partially or totally

disintegrated blood clot within
• the alveolar socket with or without halitosis.

1. The denuded alveolar bare bone may be painful
and tender.
2. Some patients may also complain of ‘intense
continuous pain’ irradiating to the ipsilateral ear
,temporal region or the eye.
3. Regional lymphadenopathy (occasionally)
4. Unpleasant taste (occasionally)
5. Trismus is a rare occurrence in mandibular third
molar extractions
probably due to lengthy and traumatic
surgery.
3-4% following routine dental extractions
1% to 45% after the removal of mandibular third

molars.
25-30% after the removal of impacted
mandibular third molars.
Occurs 10 times more frequently following the removal
of 3rd molars than from all other locations.
Mostly 1-3 days after tooth extraction.
Within a week in 95 %and 100% of all cases of dry socket.
The duration of dry socket varies to some degree, depending on the

severity of the disease, but it usually ranges from 5-1o days.
Multifactorial origin
1. Oral micro-organisms
2. Difficulty & trauma during surgery
3. Roots or bone fragments remaining in
the wound
4. Excessive irrigation or curettage of
the alveolus after extraction.
5. Physical dislodgement of the clot
6. Local blood perfusion & anesthesia
7. Oral contraceptives
8. Smoking
Increased frequency of dry socket in patients with
1, Poor oral hygiene
2, Pre-existing local infection such as pericoronitis and advanced
periodontal disease
Reduced incidence of dry socket in conjunction with anti bacterial

measures.
Presence of large number of bacilli & Vincent’s spirochete was

introduced by SCHROFF & BARTEL in 1929.
Surgical extraction that involve the reflection of a flap and
sectioning of the tooth with some degree of bone removal
Less experienced surgeons
Excessive trauma results in delayed wound healing-
1, Compression of bone lining the socket
2, Thrombosis of the underlying vessels
3, Trauma with a reduction in tissue resistance and consequent
wound.
Logical that fragments and debris remnants could lead to disturbed
wound healing.
Energetic repeated irrigation of the alveolus might interfere
with clot formation and give rise to infection.
Violent curettage might injure the alveolar bone

The vasoconstrictors in local anesthetic solutions have
been suggested as alternative factors in the pathogenesis
of dry socket.
Patients who requires repeated injections of local

anesthetic solutions may have a reduced pain threshold,
which may account for complaints of pain originating from
the extraction socket.
Increase in incidence of dry socket when periodontal

intraligamental injections were used rather than block or
infiltration injections.
It has been proposed that “estrogen” like pyrogens present in the
contraceptive pills will ACTIVATE THE FIBRINOLYTIC SYSTEM
INDIRECTLY.
CATERANI et all : the propability of dry socket increases with

increased estrogen dose in the oral contraceptives and that
fibrinolytic activity appears to be lowest on days 23 through 28 of
the menstrual cycle.
Incidence of dry socket is > 40 % among patients who smoked on the
day of surgery or on the first post operative day.
Partial or complete lysis and destruction of the blood clot was caused
by tissue kinases liberated during inflammation by a direct or indirect
activation of plasminogen in the blood.
Presence and formation of ‘kinin’ locally in
the socket .
Kinins activates the primary afferent nerves,

which may have already been presensitized
by other inflammatory mediators and
algogenic substances ( even in concentrations
as low as 1 ng/ml)
1. Infection
2. Size of wound
3. Blood supply
4. Resting of part
5. Foreign bodies
6. General condition of the patient

With references in the literature correlating to the prevention of
dry socket can be divided into
1. Non- pharmacological and
2. Pharmacological preventive measures.

1. Use of good quality current preoperative radiographs.
2. Careful planning of surgery.
3. Use of good surgical principles.
4. Extractions should be performed with minimum amount of

trauma and maximum amount of care.
5. Confirm presence of blood clot subsequent to extraction.

6. Preoperative oral hygiene measures.
7. Encourage the patient to stop/limit smoking in

immediate postoperative period.
8. Avoid vigorous mouth rinsing for the first 24 hours of post

extraction
9. For patients taking oral contraceptives extractions

should ideally be performed during days 23 through 28 of
menstrual cycle.
10.Comprehensive pre and post operative verbal

instructions should be given.
1. Anti- bacterial agents
2. Anti- septic agents and lavages
3. Anti- fibrinolytic agents
4. Steroidal anti- inflammatory agents
5. Obtundent dressings
6. Clot supporting agents

Prophylactic antibacterials, either given systemically or used locally.
Systemic anti bacterials – penicillin
clindamycin
erythromycin
metronidazole
Preoperative administration of antibacterial agents is more effective.
A significantly reduced incidence of dry socket following light socket

irrigation with Betadine & topical application of Clindamycin in
Gelfoam.
Chlorhaxidine (CHX) is a bisdiguanide antiseptic with anti microbial
properties.
USE OF WHITEHEAD’S VARNISH:

Whitehead’s varnish is a combination of ‘iodoform, balsam
tolutan, styrax liquid I a base liquid.
RESULT: Significant decrease in incidence of postoperative pain.

Haemorrhage and swelling.
Has been widely used in the management of dry socket and is
frequently mentioned in the literature.
It contains: butamben(anesthetic)
eugenol(analgesic)
iodophorm(antimicrobial)
Topical use of ‘para-hydroxybenzoic acid(PHBA) in extraction wounds

as Anti-fibrinolytic agents.
Apernyl- an alveolar cone with formulation of

32 mg acetylsalicylic acid
3mg propyl ester of PHBA
20 mg unknown tablet mass
Topical use of corticosteroids in the prevention of dry socket –
decreases immediate post – operative complications
failed to reduce the occurrence of dry socket
Immediate placement of eugenol containing dressing into

the extraction socket is beneficial in the prevention of post
extraction complication.
Use of clot supporting agents such as ‘polylactic acid(PLA)’

was widely promoted as ultimate solution for preventing dry
socket.
1. Remove any suture to allow adequate exposure of extraction
site.
2. Irrigate the socket with isotonic saline gently,careful suctioning

of all excess irrigation.
3. Do not attempt to curette the socket.
4. Prescription of potent oral analgesics.
5. Patient is given with a ‘plastic syringe with curved tip for home
irrigation’ with chlorhexidine solution.
• Under block anesthesia
• Sharp margins were trimmed, rounded
• Any foreign bodies present were thoroughly removed
• Detached gingival margins are also scraped.
• Desired medications as well as precautions
• Patients was not only without pain but was also

comfortable both physically as well as psychologically from
the very next day.
Evidence suggests that it is most particularly related to a complex
interaction between excessive localized trauma , bacterial invasion
and their association to plasmin and subsequently , the fibrinolytic
system.
AT FIRST DO NO HARM
- Hippocrates
Prevention of dry socket entails reducing the number of possible

risk factors, meticulous attention to procedural details and surgical
skills.

Dry Socket

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dry Socket

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dry Socket

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DONE BY

• Harmonize descriptive definitions.

5. Alveolitis sicca dolorosa

• Severity at any time between 1 and 3 days

• Accompanied by a partially or totally

• the alveolar socket with or without halitosis.

1% to 45% after the removal of mandibular third

Within a week in 95 %and 100% of all cases of dry socket.

The duration of dry socket varies to some degree, depending on the

Reduced incidence of dry socket in conjunction with anti bacterial

Presence of large number of bacilli & Vincent’s spirochete was

Violent curettage might injure the alveolar bone

Patients who requires repeated injections of local

Increase in incidence of dry socket when periodontal

CATERANI et all : the propability of dry socket increases with

Kinins activates the primary afferent nerves,

6. General condition of the patient

1. Non- pharmacological and

2. Pharmacological preventive measures.

2. Careful planning of surgery.

3. Use of good surgical principles.

4. Extractions should be performed with minimum amount of

5. Confirm presence of blood clot subsequent to extraction.

7. Encourage the patient to stop/limit smoking in

8. Avoid vigorous mouth rinsing for the first 24 hours of post

9. For patients taking oral contraceptives extractions

10.Comprehensive pre and post operative verbal

2. Anti- septic agents and lavages

3. Anti- fibrinolytic agents

4. Steroidal anti- inflammatory agents

6. Clot supporting agents

Preoperative administration of antibacterial agents is more effective.

A significantly reduced incidence of dry socket following light socket

USE OF WHITEHEAD’S VARNISH:

RESULT: Significant decrease in incidence of postoperative pain.

Topical use of ‘para-hydroxybenzoic acid(PHBA) in extraction wounds

Apernyl- an alveolar cone with formulation of

Immediate placement of eugenol containing dressing into

Use of clot supporting agents such as ‘polylactic acid(PLA)’

2. Irrigate the socket with isotonic saline gently,careful suctioning

3. Do not attempt to curette the socket.

4. Prescription of potent oral analgesics.

• Sharp margins were trimmed, rounded

• Any foreign bodies present were thoroughly removed

• Detached gingival margins are also scraped.

• Desired medications as well as precautions

• Patients was not only without pain but was also

Prevention of dry socket entails reducing the number of possible

You might also like