Oral Surgery · single question
What is the MAIN cause of dry socket (alveolar osteitis)?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Smoking
✓ A) Smoking is the main cause / strongest risk factor.
Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) occurs when the blood clot is lost or fails to form, leaving exposed bone. Risk factors in order of significance: (1) SMOKING (nicotine impairs healing, negative pressure from sucking dislodges clot — strongest modifiable risk factor); (2) oral contraceptives (estrogen increases fibrinolytic activity); (3) traumatic/difficult extraction; (4) poor oral hygiene; (5) mandibular third molars (highest incidence). Smoking is consistently cited as the #1 risk factor. Patients should be told not to smoke for at least 48–72 hours post-extraction.
Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) occurs when the blood clot is lost or fails to form, leaving exposed bone. Risk factors in order of significance: (1) SMOKING (nicotine impairs healing, negative pressure from sucking dislodges clot — strongest modifiable risk factor); (2) oral contraceptives (estrogen increases fibrinolytic activity); (3) traumatic/difficult extraction; (4) poor oral hygiene; (5) mandibular third molars (highest incidence). Smoking is consistently cited as the #1 risk factor. Patients should be told not to smoke for at least 48–72 hours post-extraction.