A clinical evaluation of dry socket in a Nigerian teaching hospital

We sought to determine the incidence of dry socket in a Nigerian teaching hospital and to evaluate the patients' demographic pattern, predisposing factors, the treatment given, and treatment outcome.

A retrospective review of records of dental extractions complicated by dry socket in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, between January 1996 and December 2000 was undertaken. Information retrieved included patient sociodemographic data, indications for extraction, tooth extracted, status of attending surgeon, onset of symptoms, relevant findings of the examining clinician, interval before presentation, treatment given, and its outcome.

Of the 3,319 dental extractions performed in 3,008 patients, 136 (4.1%) were complicated by dry socket. The patients' mean age was 33.4 (15.4) years and a peak age incidence of 21 to 30 years was found. A slight female preponderance (1.4:1) was observed. The majority of patients were in the low-income group, and presentation in the hospital was prompt in the high-income group. Mandibular teeth were affected 3 times more than maxillary teeth (P =.00080). Most cases of dry socket resulted from extractions performed by undergraduates and house officers. Various underlying systemic conditions were found in 11.0% of cases, none of which included use of oral contraceptives. Treatment was usually the use of zinc oxide eugenol dressing in an irrigated socket, combined with antibiotic therapy in 45.3% of cases. No adverse reaction to zinc oxide eugenol was observed.

The incidence of dry socket in our hospital is 4.1%. The mandible was involved 3 times more than the maxilla. With the use of zinc oxide eugenol dressing, 70.6% of patients completed treatment satisfactorily and 29.2% were lost to follow-up.