Incidence and risk factors affecting fibrinolytic alveolitis after permanent tooth extractions

As a result of the blood clot breaking down or vanishing, a condition can occasionally arise following tooth extraction, especially after traumatic extraction, that leaves the exposed bone in the socket looking dry. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with fibrinolytic alveolitis following extraction of permanent teeth in Jordan.

Data were collected over a period of 6 months from the Dental Management System for every patient who had permanent teeth extraction at the Oral Surgery Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry/ Jordan University of Science and Technology. Data were age, sex, systemic status of patients, smoking habits, indication of extraction, anatomical location of the extracted teeth was divided into: Upper teeth and lower teeth, number of tooth/teeth extracted, procedure involved in teeth extraction, complications during extraction, compliance to post extraction instructions, fibrinolytic alveolitis present.

During six-month period from October 2022 to March 2023 a total of 480 permanent teeth extractions of 316 patients, of which 204(64.56%) male patients and 112(35.44%) female patients, the ratio of male: female was1.8:1. Out of all 480 extractions the incidence of fibrinolytic alveolitis was 22(4.58%) of all extractions and 6.96% of affected patients.

The overall incidence of fibrinolytic alveolitis was comparable to that of previous research. The findings also suggest that the method and location of extraction are important factors in the development of fibrinolytic alveolitis.

Even though general dental offices often treat patients with fibrinolytic alveolitis, oral and maxillofacial surgeons play a critical role in treatment and achieving better results. The current theories around the prevention and treatment of fibrinolytic alveolitis, as well as the complexity and numerous natures of the etiology of fibrinolytic alveolitis, should be known to clinicians.