Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Exodontia is the commonest procedure in oral surgery and dentistry. Dry socket, also referred to as alveolar or fibrinolytic osteitis, is a major complication that follows extraction of tooth/teeth in oral surgery. Hence; the present study was conducted for assessing the risk factors of dry socket. Materials & methods: A total of 150 patients were analyzed who underwent dental extraction procedures. All the procedures were carried out under local anaesthesia. Adequate medical history was obtained of all the patients prior to the surgery. Postoperative follow-up was done and incidence of dry socket was evaluated. Proper history was obtained among these patients and risk factors of dry socket were assessed. Results: Dry socket was seen in 16 percent of the patients. Positive tobacco smoking history was seen in 50 percent of the patients. Females with history of use of oral contraceptives were seen as risk factor in 25 percent of the patients. Traumatic extraction and gingival infection of associated region were seen as risk factors in 37.5 percent and 20.83 percent of the patients respectively. Conclusion: The factors associated with dry socket were tobacco history, oral contraceptives, gingival infection and traumatic extraction.