Post-surgical evaluation of dry socket formation after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar—A prospective study

Aims & Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors (age, sex, infection, radiographic difficulty of the extraction, tobacco use) contributing to the development of dry socket and clinical features following surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar. Materials and Methods: The study included 63 patients during period of September 2009 to September 2011 in the age group of 18 to 53 years with impacted mandibular third molars all of which were surgically removed under local anesthesia by the same operator. Following surgery all patients received a single dose of 4 mg corticosteroid intravenously and similar prescriptions for analgesics, antibiotics and postoperative instructions. All patients were reviewed at 3rd and 7th day postoperatively. Results: In this study incidence of dry socket was 6.3%. We also noticed onset of symptom mostly appeared within 48 hours. Postoperatively pain, bare bone and halitosis were the most significant clinical feature at 3rd postoperative day and pain, empty socket and bare bone were most significant clinical feature at 7th postoperative day. Variables like right 3rd molar impaction, patients mean age between 19 32 years, female, preoperative infection, radiographically difficult impaction and habitual tobacco users showed a higher incidence of dry socket formation. Conclusion: Incidence of dry socket formation is multifactorial and therefore, there is need to evaluate all factors, with special attentions in handling these patients to reduce the incidence of dry socket formation.