ABSTRACT
Background: Alveolar osteitis (AO) is one of the extractions wound healing disorder. Most authors agree that surgical trauma and difficulty of surgery play a significant role in the development of AO. Hence, under the light of above - mentioned data, the present study was undertaken for assessing the incidence and risk factors of dry socket. Methods: A total of 200 subjects scheduled to undergo dental extraction procedures under local anesthesia were included in the p resent study. Complete demographic and clinical details of all the patients were obtained. All the procedures were carried out under the hands of experienced surgeons. Follow - up was done and incidence of dry socket was recorded. Results: Overall, incidenc e of dry socket in the present study was 17.5 percent. Positive tobacco smoking/chewing habit, Oral contraceptives, Female gender, Existing tooth/gum infection, Past history of dry socket, Traumatic extraction and Mandibular molar extraction were the risk factors in 62.85 %, 34.28 %, 71.42 %, 14.28 %, 25.71 %, 42.85 % and 54.28 % of the patients. Conclusion: Dry socket is a commonly encountered phenomenon and can occur the under the hands of skilled and experienced oral surgeons also. Hence, early recogniti on is necessary.