Dry socket management
Relief of alveolar osteitis 2–4 days after extraction: irrigate, dress, analgesia.
Time
10–15 min
Anaesthetic
Often needed; topical or infiltration
Key kit
Warm saline syringe, iodoform or zinc-oxide eugenol dressing
Refer if
Pain not improving after 2–3 dressings, fever, or swelling — rule out infection or fracture
Before you start
- • Confirm diagnosis: severe throbbing pain 2–4 days post-extraction, empty socket, bad taste Dry socket (alveolar osteitis)
- • Exclude infection, retained root or fracture (radiograph if unsure)
- • Check allergies, e.g. to iodine or eugenol
Steps
- 1
Anaesthesia
Give LA if needed for comfort.
- 2
Irrigate
Gently irrigate the socket with warm saline to remove debris. Don't curette the bone.
- 3
Dress
Loosely place a resorbable or iodoform dressing; don't pack tightly.
- 4
- 5
Review
Review in 2–3 days; change or remove the dressing.
Aftercare
- • Warm salt-water rinses from the next day; no smoking
- • Antibiotics not routinely needed Antibiotics for odontogenic infection
Related topics
Sources
Checked on 2026-10-22.
General guide summarised from the sources above. Follow your training and local protocols.