Post-Surgery Complications – Dry Socket

After undergoing tooth extraction, it is critical that patients closely follow their oral surgeon’s post-operative instructions. This not only makes for a quicker, more comfortable recovery process, it can prevent difficulties from occurring during this time. However, even patients who keep these directions perfectly may experience complications such as dry socket.

What Causes Dry Socket?

Dry socket is a fairly common condition, particularly following wisdom tooth extraction. After this procedure, blood clots form as part of the healing process, covering exposed bone and nerves to protect these delicate tissues from damage and infection. However, if these blood clots are dislodged, bacteria and debris may enter and become trapped in the empty socket. Without sufficient cleaning and treatment, infection occurs, causing patients severe pain as well as difficulty with chewing and swallowing. 

Symptoms of dry socket include:

• Severe pain in the days following extraction
• Visible bone tissue
• Partial or complete blood Loss at extraction site
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth

How to Treat and Prevent Dry Socket

In order to protect your healing smile, it is important that patients closely follow post-surgery instructions from their oral surgeon. At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, Dr. Snehal Patel recommends the following:

• Avoid tobacco use: Smoking a cigarette can dislodge the newly forming blood clot. In addition, chemicals in tobacco are known to disrupt proper healing and can contaminate the extraction site, triggering development of dry socket.
• Avoid touching the site: Poking the empty socket with your tongue or touching it with your fingers can lead to infection and, subsequently, dry socket.
• Don’t use a straw: The suction from using a straw may dislodge blood clots, leading to dry socket.

Treatment for dry socket is often fairly straight forward. To remove debris and infected tissue, our oral surgeon will flush out the socket before covering the area with a medicated gel or paste. Pain medication may also be provided to alleviate discomfort. Typically, symptoms clear up within five to six days of treatment. At your follow-up visit, Dr. Patel will examine the extraction area, checking for the development of a new blood clot and improved healing. 

Experiencing Dry Socket? Call our Oral Surgeon in NOVA Immediately

Left untreated, dry socket can quickly compromise both your oral and overall wellbeing. If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with this condition, call our oral surgery practice immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. 

Side Effects of Wisdom Teeth - Pericoronitis

While some may find newly developing wisdom teeth a mere nuisance, few fully recognize the lasting impact third molars can have on the health of your entire smile. In particular, patients with partially impacted teeth are at risk of developing pericoronitis, an inflammation of the soft tissues around the tooth.

What is Pericoronitis?

When wisdom teeth develop, some third molars may be able to partially emerge through the gums. However, because the tooth does not fully push through the gums, partial emergence tends to create a gum flap over the tooth. Food and bacteria are often trapped beneath the gum flap, causing soft tissue inflammation as well as exposing the new tooth to plaque and tartar development and leading to the development of pericoronitis. 

Like any other oral infection, this soft tissue infection can seriously compromise a patient’s oral health, spreading to the blood stream and lymph nodes if left untreated. As a result, if you notice any of the following symptoms, be sure to call you general dentist for an appointment. 

• Pain
• Gum swelling, changes in color, tenderness
• Infection
• Persistent Bad Taste
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Treating Pericoronitis

Treatment for this condition depends on the extent of infection. In cases were the irritation is isolated to the area around the wisdom tooth and where the tooth is likely to fully emerge without damaging neighboring teeth, some dentist may recommend a more comprehensive hygiene plan until the molar has fully developed. In other cases, the arch may not have enough room to support a new molar, requiring wisdom tooth extraction. 

For patients experiencing severe pericoronitis, tooth extraction followed by a course of antibiotics may be the only way to restore oral health to the smile. In these instances, your general dentist may coordinate treatment with an experienced oral surgeon to ensure predictable extraction and lasting results. 

Wisdom Teeth Extraction and Treatment in Lorton

At the Northern Virginia oral surgery practice of Dr. Snehal Patel, our goal is to provide patients with lasting oral health. If you are experiencing pericoronitis symptoms like painful or swollen cheeks or gums, call Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery today to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon. We’ll discuss your treatment options and find the best way to help you regain a healthy smile.