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Oral Surgery · single question

A patient has Alveolar Osteitis (dry socket). This typically presents:

  1. Fever and swelling 24 hours after extraction
  2. Pain ipsilateral to the extraction site 2–5 days post-operatively, with empty socket and exposed bone
  3. Numbness along the distribution of the inferior alveolar nerve
  4. Purulent discharge from the extraction socket immediately post-operatively
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Pain ipsilateral to the extraction site 2–5 days post-operatively, with empty socket and exposed bone

  • A. Fever and swelling within 24 hours suggest acute infection or normal post-operative inflammation, not dry socket.
  • B. Correct. Alveolar osteitis (dry socket/localized osteitis) classically presents 2–5 days post-extraction with severe throbbing pain radiating to the ear, loss of the blood clot (empty socket), exposed necrotic bone, and halitosis.
  • C. Numbness suggests inferior alveolar nerve injury, not dry socket.
  • D. Immediate purulent discharge suggests pre-existing infection, not dry socket.

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