Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a common postoperative complication following tooth extraction where the blood clot in the extraction socket becomes dislodged, causing severe pain that increases 1-3 days after the procedure. Symptoms include pain in and around the extraction site and bad breath. Treatment focuses on cleaning out the socket and using medicated dressings to rapidly relieve pain.

1. Dry socket is One of the most common postoperative complications following extraction.
Also known as alveolar osteitis (AO), localized osteitis,postoperative alveolitis,
alveolalgia, alveolitis sicca dolorosa, septic socket, necrotic socket, localized
osteomyelitis, fibrinolytic alveolitis.
Definition: Dry Socket is defined as postoperative 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.
What are signs and symptoms of dry socket?
self-limiting condition
1. Cleaning the socket by removing the
food debris from the hole.
2. Using saline irrigation for better cleaning.
3. Using of medicated dressings such as
Alvogyl for rapid pain relief.
Zinc oxide eugenol.