2019

Question 1

What is dry socket?

Answer 1

• localised alveolar osteitis - inflammation of the lamina dura

Question 2

What are predisposing factors of dry socket?

Answer 2

• smoking
• excessive mouth rinsing following extraction
• excessive trauma during extraction
• mandibular extractions
• more common in females
• oral contraceptive pill

Question 3

What are symptoms of dry socket?

Answer 3

• Pain that disturbs the patients sleep
• Sharp pain that can radiate towards the ear
• Dull aching pain
• signs of infection
• bad breath or bad taste

Question 4

What is the management for dry socket?

Answer 4

• reassure and support the patient
• irrigate the socket with warm saline
• debridement of the socket to remove the old clot and promote bleeding
• Antiseptic pack (e.g. BIP)
• give systemic analgesia