When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot normally forms in the empty socket to protect the bone and nerves underneath. Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, happens when that clot either dissolves too soon or doesn’t form at all. Without it, the bone and nerves are exposed, which can cause significant pain and delay the healing process.
This condition is more common after the removal of wisdom teeth, but it can occur after any extraction. While not every patient experiences dry socket, it’s one of the most common complications following oral surgery.
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