Alveolar osteitis: Difference between revisions

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<gallery>
{{SI}}<br>
File:DrySocket.JPG|Alveolar osteitis
{{Infobox medical condition
File:Alveolar_osteitis_labeled_dry_socket.jpg|Alveolar osteitis
| name    = Alveolar osteitis
</gallery>
| image    = [[File:DrySocket.JPG|250px]]
| caption  = Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) in a lower molar extraction site
| field    = [[Oral and maxillofacial surgery]]
| synonyms    = Dry socket
| symptoms    = Severe pain, bad breath, unpleasant taste
| complications = Delayed healing, infection
| onset    = 1-3 days after tooth extraction
| duration    = 5-10 days
| causes    = Dislodgement of blood clot, bacterial infection
| risks    = Smoking, oral contraceptive use, traumatic extraction
| diagnosis  = Clinical examination
| differential  = [[Osteomyelitis]], [[Pericoronitis]], [[Trigeminal neuralgia]]
| prevention  = Avoid smoking, follow post-extraction care instructions
| treatment  = Pain management, medicated dressings
| frequency  = 1-5% of routine extractions, up to 30% of impacted mandibular third molars
}}
[[File:Alveolar_osteitis_labeled_dry_socket.jpg|Alveolar osteitis|thumb]]
== Alveolar Osteitis ==
== Alveolar Osteitis ==
'''Alveolar osteitis''', commonly known as '''dry socket''', is a painful dental condition that can occur after a tooth extraction, particularly the extraction of [[mandibular third molars]] (wisdom teeth). It is characterized by the inflammation of the [[alveolar bone]] and the loss of the blood clot that normally forms in the socket after a tooth is removed.
'''Alveolar osteitis''', commonly known as '''dry socket''', is a painful dental condition that can occur after a tooth extraction, particularly the extraction of [[mandibular third molars]] (wisdom teeth). It is characterized by the inflammation of the [[alveolar bone]] and the loss of the blood clot that normally forms in the socket after a tooth is removed.
== Pathophysiology ==
== Pathophysiology ==
After a tooth extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the underlying bone and nerves as the area heals. In alveolar osteitis, this blood clot is dislodged or dissolves before the wound has healed, exposing the bone and nerves to air, food, and fluids. This exposure can lead to severe pain and delayed healing.
After a tooth extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the underlying bone and nerves as the area heals. In alveolar osteitis, this blood clot is dislodged or dissolves before the wound has healed, exposing the bone and nerves to air, food, and fluids. This exposure can lead to severe pain and delayed healing.
The exact cause of the clot loss is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute, including:
The exact cause of the clot loss is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute, including:
* [[Bacterial infection]]
* [[Bacterial infection]]
* Trauma to the extraction site
* Trauma to the extraction site
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* Smoking or tobacco use
* Smoking or tobacco use
* Use of oral contraceptives
* Use of oral contraceptives
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
The primary symptom of alveolar osteitis is severe pain that typically begins 1 to 3 days after the tooth extraction. The pain may radiate to the ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side as the extraction. Other symptoms may include:
The primary symptom of alveolar osteitis is severe pain that typically begins 1 to 3 days after the tooth extraction. The pain may radiate to the ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side as the extraction. Other symptoms may include:
* Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth
* Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth
* Visible bone in the socket
* Visible bone in the socket
* Swelling of the gums or face
* Swelling of the gums or face
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of alveolar osteitis is primarily clinical, based on the patient's symptoms and examination of the extraction site. The dentist or oral surgeon will look for signs of an empty socket with exposed bone and may note the absence of a blood clot.
Diagnosis of alveolar osteitis is primarily clinical, based on the patient's symptoms and examination of the extraction site. The dentist or oral surgeon will look for signs of an empty socket with exposed bone and may note the absence of a blood clot.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment of alveolar osteitis focuses on pain management and promoting healing. Common treatments include:
Treatment of alveolar osteitis focuses on pain management and promoting healing. Common treatments include:
* Flushing the socket to remove debris
* Flushing the socket to remove debris
* Packing the socket with medicated dressings
* Packing the socket with medicated dressings
* Prescribing pain relief medications
* Prescribing pain relief medications
* Advising on proper oral hygiene and care
* Advising on proper oral hygiene and care
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Preventive measures can reduce the risk of developing alveolar osteitis. These include:
Preventive measures can reduce the risk of developing alveolar osteitis. These include:
* Following post-extraction care instructions carefully
* Following post-extraction care instructions carefully
* Avoiding smoking and tobacco use
* Avoiding smoking and tobacco use
* Maintaining good oral hygiene
* Maintaining good oral hygiene
* Avoiding vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours after extraction
* Avoiding vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours after extraction
== Related Pages ==
== Related Pages ==
* [[Tooth extraction]]
* [[Tooth extraction]]
* [[Wisdom teeth]]
* [[Wisdom teeth]]
* [[Oral surgery]]
* [[Oral surgery]]
* [[Dental pain]]
* [[Dental pain]]
{{Dentistry}}
{{Dentistry}}
[[Category:Dental conditions]]
[[Category:Dental conditions]]
[[Category:Oral and maxillofacial surgery]]
[[Category:Oral and maxillofacial surgery]]

Latest revision as of 13:17, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Alveolar osteitis
Synonyms Dry socket
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Severe pain, bad breath, unpleasant taste
Complications Delayed healing, infection
Onset 1-3 days after tooth extraction
Duration 5-10 days
Types N/A
Causes Dislodgement of blood clot, bacterial infection
Risks Smoking, oral contraceptive use, traumatic extraction
Diagnosis Clinical examination
Differential diagnosis Osteomyelitis, Pericoronitis, Trigeminal neuralgia
Prevention Avoid smoking, follow post-extraction care instructions
Treatment Pain management, medicated dressings
Medication N/A
Prognosis N/A
Frequency 1-5% of routine extractions, up to 30% of impacted mandibular third molars
Deaths N/A


Alveolar osteitis

Alveolar Osteitis[edit]

Alveolar osteitis, commonly known as dry socket, is a painful dental condition that can occur after a tooth extraction, particularly the extraction of mandibular third molars (wisdom teeth). It is characterized by the inflammation of the alveolar bone and the loss of the blood clot that normally forms in the socket after a tooth is removed.

Pathophysiology[edit]

After a tooth extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the underlying bone and nerves as the area heals. In alveolar osteitis, this blood clot is dislodged or dissolves before the wound has healed, exposing the bone and nerves to air, food, and fluids. This exposure can lead to severe pain and delayed healing. The exact cause of the clot loss is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute, including:

  • Bacterial infection
  • Trauma to the extraction site
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Smoking or tobacco use
  • Use of oral contraceptives

Symptoms[edit]

The primary symptom of alveolar osteitis is severe pain that typically begins 1 to 3 days after the tooth extraction. The pain may radiate to the ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side as the extraction. Other symptoms may include:

  • Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth
  • Visible bone in the socket
  • Swelling of the gums or face

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of alveolar osteitis is primarily clinical, based on the patient's symptoms and examination of the extraction site. The dentist or oral surgeon will look for signs of an empty socket with exposed bone and may note the absence of a blood clot.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of alveolar osteitis focuses on pain management and promoting healing. Common treatments include:

  • Flushing the socket to remove debris
  • Packing the socket with medicated dressings
  • Prescribing pain relief medications
  • Advising on proper oral hygiene and care

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures can reduce the risk of developing alveolar osteitis. These include:

  • Following post-extraction care instructions carefully
  • Avoiding smoking and tobacco use
  • Maintaining good oral hygiene
  • Avoiding vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours after extraction

Related Pages[edit]