Dry Socket

“Dry Socket” or Alveolar Osteitis is a painful condition following tooth extraction that can easily be treated if recognized.

The primary cause is losing the blood clot (scab) from the healing tooth socket. Females and smokers are at increased risk but the risk is less than 1%. Once this occurs, the nerves become inflamed and irritated beginning about 3-4 days following surgery. At this point, if your recovery was going as anticipated but now seems to becoming more painful, you may be developing a dry socket.

Dry sockets typically heal on their own in about 7-10 days without treatment but can be very painful.

Please contact the office to discuss a simple and effective way to make you feel better.