Dry Socket

Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a dental condition that commonly develops after a tooth extraction, such as wisdom tooth removal.  When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms in your tooth’s socket to promote healing and to protect your underlying bone and nerve endings.  The blood clot also facilitates the growth of tissue and bone in the socket of your tooth. 

When a blood clot fails to form in the socket of your tooth, or if the blood clot comes loose before complete healing of your tooth’s socket, dry socket occurs.  Signs and symptoms your may see or experience are as follows:

• Increased, severe pain 2-5 days after your tooth extraction.
• Earaches
• Foul taste in your mouth
• Bar breath
• Your socket may appear to look empty and bone may even be visible.

Dry socket is rare, occurring in less that 5 percent of all tooth extractions.  The precise cause of dry socket remains unknown, but the following may put you at risk:

• Not following pre and post-operative instructions given to you by your dentist after a tooth extraction.
• Individuals with bruxism
• Excessive trauma to the bone during tooth extraction.  Usually caused by having an inexperienced dentist.
• Previously having dry socket after tooth extraction.
• If you have periodontal disease (gum disease).

To prevent dry socket after tooth extraction or wisdom tooth removal, make sure you have an highly-skilled and experience dentist and follow all pre and post-operative instructions given to you by your dentist.

If you are experiencing dry socket after your tooth extraction, please contact Dr. Dhayni, DDS to schedule an appointment at 858-277-5141 or email us at info@mysandiegodentists.com. Our office is located at 5222 Balboa Ave, Suite 72, San Diego, CA 92117.  Dr. Dhayni, of San Diego Dentistry, provides general and cosmetic dental services in the California Area.

Treatment for dry socket typically includes techniques for relieving pain because dry socket will improve and disappear with time.  Treatment techniques include:

• Gently flushing and rinsing out the socket.
• A local anesthetic or pain relievers may be given to temporarily relieve pain.
• Sterile or medicated dressings are directly placed within your socket.
• At-home care instructions are given to you to follow.
• You may have to return to our office several times to have your socket flushed and rinsed, along with placement of medicated dressing.