Three days after the extraction of tooth 3.6, a patient reports severe, throbbing pain radiating to the ear. The socket is empty of clot, with exposed bone and a foul odour. There is no fever or swelling. What is the most appropriate management?
- Correct answer
Gentle irrigation of the socket and placement of a sedative (obtundent) dressing
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Prescription of systemic antibiotics alone
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Curettage of the socket to the bone and suturing
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Incision and drainage
This question is one of 15 in AFK practice: Oral surgery, trauma and orofacial pain. Test yourself on all of them.
Practice quiz FlashcardsExplanations
This is alveolar osteitis (dry socket), a local, non-infective breakdown of the clot. It is treated by irrigating the socket, placing a sedative dressing and giving analgesics. Antibiotics alone do not relieve the pain, and there is no abscess to drain.
Source: Hupp, Ellis and Tucker, Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery — oneguy
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