Oral Surgery · single question
How do you treat a dry socket (alveolar osteitis)?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Irrigate with saline and apply a medicated dressing
B) Irrigation and medicated dressing — CORRECT.
The treatment of dry socket is: (1) gentle irrigation of the socket with saline or chlorhexidine to remove debris, and (2) placement of a medicated dressing (typically eugenol-containing, e.g., Alvogyl or zinc oxide eugenol strips). This provides pain relief and protects the exposed bone. Repeat visits for dressing changes are often needed every 2–3 days until healing occurs.
A) Antibiotics: NOT routinely indicated for dry socket unless infection is present. Dry socket is an avascular necrosis of the clot — not an infection.
C) Curettage to induce fresh bleeding may be done in some protocols but is not the primary/first treatment.
D) Chlorhexidine alone provides some antiseptic benefit but does not address the pain from exposed bone.
The treatment of dry socket is: (1) gentle irrigation of the socket with saline or chlorhexidine to remove debris, and (2) placement of a medicated dressing (typically eugenol-containing, e.g., Alvogyl or zinc oxide eugenol strips). This provides pain relief and protects the exposed bone. Repeat visits for dressing changes are often needed every 2–3 days until healing occurs.
A) Antibiotics: NOT routinely indicated for dry socket unless infection is present. Dry socket is an avascular necrosis of the clot — not an infection.
C) Curettage to induce fresh bleeding may be done in some protocols but is not the primary/first treatment.
D) Chlorhexidine alone provides some antiseptic benefit but does not address the pain from exposed bone.