23 September 2022

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Dry socket: better to prevent?

Simona Chirico

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Dry socket is a common complications that develops after the extraction of a permanent tooth, and it is characterized by pain in and around the extraction site with a partial or total loss of a blood clot within the alveolar socket. It can occur in 3–4% of cases but this value may be extended to 45% with impacted tooth. The etiology of dry socket is multifactorial, but not completely clear. Density of the bone, vasoconstriction of the anesthetic agents, systemic conditions, smoking and difficulties related to the extraction are some of the conditions predisposing to dry socket.  Treatment choices are multiple but due to the condition of severe pain, prevention of dry socket is of primary importance. Different modalities have been investigated in attemp to prevent the incidence. 

Objectives:
in this systematic review the Authors aim to analyze the efficacy of different methods used in preventing dry socket.

Material and methods
A Cochrane and PubMed-MEDLINE database search was conducted with the prearranged search terms and among studies that included at least 30 patients published from 2005 to 2015. 

Results
24 publications were selected at the end: 9 prospective studies, 2 retrospective studies and 13 clinical trials. The reviewed articles analyzed three different methods for preventing dry socket: chlorhexidine, antibiotic therapy and platelet-rich plasma.

Conclusions
As regard chlorhexidine, ten articles included in this review didn’t come to any conclusive results about its efficacy in preventing dry socket. Platelet rich plasma reduce dry socket development instead antibiotics do not have a preventive effect on postoperative complications. Risk factors for developing dry socket should be carefully considered by the clinician when carrying out the procedure.

For additional information: Efficacy of different methods used for dry socket prevention and risk factor analysis: A systematic review