Bleeding and dry sockets – Context and Definition

Following tooth extraction, the tooth socket remains in the alveolar process, and will subsequently undergo remodelling. However this process will take time, and various issues can occur.

Some patients will get bleeding from the socket. This is more common on anti-coagulated patients. This can be quite distressing for patients, and haemostasis should be achieved. There are reported cases of patients coming critically unwell due poor haemostasis following extraction (Moghadam H G, Caminiti M F. Life-threatening hemorrhage after extraction of third molars: case report and management protocol. J Can Dent Assoc 2002; 68: 670–674.)

Other patients will suffer from a condition known as dry socket, or condensing osteitis. During the healing process, the initial blood clot from the extraction is lost, and the exposed bone becomes infected and raw. The pain associated with this condition can be very severe.