Alveolitis of the tooth socket

Alveolitis is manifested by severe pain at the site of the extracted tooth, swollen gums, bad breath, sometimes fever, and enlarged lymph nodes.

If the pain does not subside or there are other symptoms typical of alveolitis, then you should not tolerate it. It is better to urgently consult a dental specialist to clarify the diagnosis or relieve the pain syndrome. This is not necessarily alveolitis, but it is still worth examining the surgical site to prevent complications.

If the pain does not subside, it is worth conducting a preventive examination of the extraction site. The dentist will determine the method of treatment or symptom relief. How long the pain will last depends on many reasons: which tooth was removed, individual pain threshold, immunity and other factors. In any case, you need to consult a specialist.

If alveolitis is left untreated, the inflammation can spread to the jawbone and soft tissues, causing severe pain, swelling, suppuration, and a threat to overall health.

Alveolitis usually lasts 3–7 days after tooth extraction, but without treatment it can last longer and become more complicated.

For alveolitis, traditional (conservative) treatment can be applied if the disease is in its early stages and has not yet caused serious complications. It consists of wound irrigation, inflammation relief, and taking antibiotics. The doctor prescribes:

• Antiseptics (chlorhexidine, furacilin, hexoral);
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac);
• Antibiotics (sumamed, lincomycin).

Conservative therapy is only effective in the early phases of the disease when surgical intervention is not required. The most important thing is to avoid self-medication and take only the drugs prescribed by a dentist. Usually, treatment takes 5–7 days if the patient seeks help on time and the alveolitis has not managed to progress. The more severe the form, the more prolonged the process. Fighting chronic manifestations of the disease can take several weeks.

• • Anesthesia injection;
  • Irrigation of the socket with an antiseptic solution to remove food debris, the blood clot, and saliva;
  • Curettage of pathological tissues from the alveolus using a surgical curette;
  • Antiseptic treatment of the wound;
  • Placement of a dressing.

An innovative technique — plasmolifting (PRP therapy)—has proven its effectiveness in treating dental alveolitis, even in advanced stages. This involves injecting the patient’s gums with their own blood autoplasma, which is enriched with platelets. The method is completely safe and has practically no contraindications. It can be used both for therapy and for prevention.

• • It eliminates the focus of inflammation.
  • It boosts local immunity.
  • It relieves pain.
  • It accelerates tissue regeneration.