Abstract

Background: Dry socket lesions occur in about 1%-5% of all extractions and in up to 38% of mandibular third molar extractions. The present study assessed risk factors of dry socket after tooth extraction.
Materials & Methods: 190 patients who underwent extraction of both genders were included. Smoking status, systemic diseases, use of oral contraceptives, antibiotic consumption before extraction, number of carpules used for anesthesia etc. recorded. The incidence of dry socket was recorded.
Results: Out of 190 patients, males were 85 and females were 105.Common risk factors were <2 carpules seen in 8 and >2 carpules in 4, use of pre-anaesthetic antibiotic consumption in 2, use of field block in 7 and regional block in 5 patients with dry sockets. The smoking was seen in 10, diabetes seen in 11 and systemic diseases in 6 patients of dry sockets. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Out of 190 teeth, 12 (6.3%) had dry sockets.
Conclusion: Common risk factors for dry sockets was use of less than 2 carpules, non- use of pre-anaesthetic antibiotic consumption, field block anaesthetic technique, smoking, systemic disease and diabetes.