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Alveolar osteitis (AO) is a painful complication experienced by approximately 3–4% of patients who have undergone a dental extraction. A frequently used intra-alveolar dressing material, such as Alveogyl is commonly used to treat sockets where a diagnosis of AO is made. However, unexpected problems may be encountered by the dentist when using such materials and this article explores a case where a diagnosis of a foreign body reaction to Alveogyl was identified in a symptomatic patient with no overt clinical or radiographical signs.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: Dental professionals should be aware of the possible complications with the use of Alveogyl in the treatment of alveolar osteitis, in particular foreign body reactions.
Article
Alveolar osteitis (AO), also known as dry socket, is a well-recognised complication that may occur following dental extractions. Its characteristic features include halitosis and severe pain commencing 2–3 days post-operatively, which has the potential to radiate within the maxillofacial region.1 The severity of the symptoms limits the patient's functional capability because they often present acutely to the dentist. The incidence of AO has been reported to be 3–4%.2,3
The aetiology of AO has been debated since its first identification in 1896, and a number of theories exist.4 Birn5 suggested that a combination of direct and indirect factors contributes to the development of AO, including surgical trauma and the effects of bacteria on the activation of the plasminogen pathway.6 This theory was supported by Fazakerley and Field7 who described the fibrinolytic process and the premature degradation of the blood clot in the socket. Hence, sockets are often found to contain debris and remnants of the dislodged clot.
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