Acute alveolar osteitis

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Background

  • Also known as "Dry socket"
  • Caused by premature loss of healing clot in the alveolar socket after tooth extraction[1]
  • Occurs 2-4d after tooth extraction
  • Initial post-extraction pain subsides followed by sudden/severe pain at extraction site

Clinical Features

  • Postoperative pain at site of recent tooth extraction

Differential Diagnosis

Dentoalveolar Injuries

Odontogenic Infections

Other

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis
  • Exposed bone with no clot in extraction site

Management

  • Analgesia (often requires dental block)
  • Irrigate and suction
  • Pack with iodoform ribbon gauze soaked with eugenol (oil of cloves) or local anesthetic
  • Penicillin VK 500mg PO QID OR clindamycin 300mg PO QID

Disposition

  • Discharge with dental follow-up within 24 hours

See Also

References

  1. Kolokythas A, Olech E, Miloro M. Alveolar Osteitis: A Comprehensive Review of Concepts and Controversies. International Journal of Dentistry. 2010; 2010: 249073. doi:10.1155/2010/249073