Procedures

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis)

Severe pain 2–4 days after extraction, empty socket, halitosis.

Irrigate socket with warm saline or 0.12–0.2% chlorhexidine under LA.
Place an obtundent dressing (e.g. Alvogyl / zinc oxide eugenol on ribbon gauze).
Analgesics; review every 2–3 days. Antibiotics are not indicated.
Prevention: smoking cessation, atraumatic technique, chlorhexidine rinse.

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-10-22. Guidelines change — open the source to confirm.

Summarised from the sources above. Always verify against current local guidelines and the patient's medical history.