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Dry Socket with Wisdom Tooth Removal

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I need to have a lower wisdom tooth extracted because of an impaction. I’ve spoken to someone else who’s had this done and they said they ended up with dry socket which was absolutely miserable. Is there anything I can do which can help to prevent this?

Katie

Dear Katie,

Woman with a boxing glove punching someone

Dry Socket Can Be Prevented.

Dry socket is what happens when the blood clot dissolves or disappears leaving the nerves and bone exposed. It’s quite painful.

Some dentists tell their patients that dry socket will happen if they suck the blood clot out unintentionally and suggest the don’t drink through a straw until after the healing process is over.

There really isn’t much evidence for this. Though, obviously, you don’t want to do anything which will intentionally remove the blood clot.

Your Dentist is the Best Defense in Preventing Dry Socket

There are two things your dentist can do to prevent dry socket.

The first is to recognize that the greater the force used in extracting the tooth, the greater the chance of dry socket. To counter this, if a dentist encounters a tooth extraction which is requiring a greater than moderate elevator force it is better to section the tooth. Sometimes bone has to be removed in order to do this, but it can be done.

The second thing which helps is for your dentist to place a square of Gelfoam soaked in a suspension of clindamycin antibiotic into the socket after the extraction and suturing the tissue over it. An experiment was done which showed this. They tried it on patients with two wisdom tooth extractions. On one side they put the Gelfoam; on the other they didn’t. Only the teeth without the antibiotic developed dry socket.

You can let your dentist see this post prior to your wisdom tooth extraction, if you are concerned.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn Family Dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.

Affordable Dentist Disaster

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I’m at a loss at how to rectify a situation I got myself into by trying to save money. I had a toothache. Normally, I’d go to my dentist but he’s kind of high end and I was low on funds. I thought just this once I’d save some cash and go to an affordable dentist who treats dental emergencies. I will never do this again. Now I have to explain to my good dentist why I am now missing a tooth. When I went in, he said I needed a root canal treatment. He spent well over two hours doing it. I was in pretty bad pain because my jaw was open the whole time and he’d jerk my head back and forth as he muttered under his breath. As if that unpleasantness wasn’t enough, there was a giant cracking sound. The dentist cursed and then left the room. Another employee came in and told me my tooth broke and would need to be extracted. At that point, I was just trying to get everything over with so I agreed to the extraction. Now I’m without a tooth. As if to add salt to the would, I received the bill today and he charged me for both the root canal and the extraction. This “affordable” appointment has cost me a lot more than money. What do I do?

Ceanne W.

Dear Ceanne,

Woman in pain who needs to see an affordable dentist

As you’ve unfortunately discovered, there is a big difference between affordable dentistry and cheap dentistry. This appointment would likely have been less expensive, both in terms of finances and teeth, had you gone to your regular dentist. Of course, you know that now and are in need of where to go from here.

The first thing I’d do is contest the bill. At the very least it was bad form for him to bill you for both procedures. We’ll never know if the need for the extraction was his fault or not, but most dentists would just charge for either the root canal treatment or the extraction, regardless.

The next thing is to discuss with your actual dentist your tooth replacement options. Ideally, you’d want a dental implant. These are the best replacements and will feel and function like having a permanent, healthy tooth in place.

I’m sure given the circumstances your dentist would work with you on payment options. If he doesn’t do in-house payment plans, ask about Care Credit. It’s a medical “credit card” that allows you to set your terms of repayment.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Raymond Bolt.