Treatment of dry socket (alveolar osteitis):

Correct answer: A. Rinse with saline and apply sedative dressing

• A. Treatment of dry socket (alveolar osteitis) involves: (1) GENTLE IRRIGATION with saline or chlorhexidine to remove debris, (2) Application of SEDATIVE/ANALGESIC DRESSING (most commonly Alvogyl or zinc oxide-eugenol impregnated gauze) into the socket. The dressing soothes the exposed bone and provides pain relief. The dressing is changed every 1-3 days until healed. Antibiotics are NOT routinely indicated unless systemic signs of infection are present.
• B. Dry socket causes severe pain that requires active management — it does self-resolve eventually but proper treatment dramatically reduces patient suffering.
• C. Re-extraction is NOT appropriate for dry socket — it would traumatize healing tissue and worsen the condition.
• D. Antibiotics alone are not sufficient — the primary treatment is LOCAL wound management with sedative dressing.