Dry Sockets

When teeth need to be extracted, most of our clients at Dr. Joseph Dallessandro and Dr. Jiah Choi’s Lenox Hill practice will experience easy recoveries and soon move on to the next stage of their treatment. However, when a complication does occur, it is usually in the form of a dry socket. This is a painful condition and poses a risk of infection, but we educate patients on how to avoid it and know how to treat it should it arise.

When a tooth is pulled, there will be a bit of bleeding in the empty socket. Ideally, this blood will congeal and seal the socket off, locking in moisture and keeping the surgical site free of bacteria. However, there are medications which may prevent clots from forming, and behaviors such as smoking may cause them to dissolve early. Patients are also warned not to sip from straws after an extraction because the suction could pull the clot off and leave the socket exposed.

Sockets usually close up quickly. The risk of dryness is highest during the first two days after the extraction. Patients in severe pain should schedule emergency appointments. If they are suffering a dry socket, we will apply moisturizing and antibiotic medication to the wound and prescribe painkillers, if necessary.

Joseph S. Dallesandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72^nd St, Ste B, New York, New York, 10021. To set up an appointment, call 212-988-1089, or visit JosephDallessandroDDS.com, and fill out a contact sheet.