Dry Socket Management — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyOral Surgery PrinciplesDry Socket ManagementMFDS Part 1

Two days after a molar extraction, a patient develops increasing pain around the extraction site and an unpleasant taste. Examination shows an empty socket with loss of the blood clot but no facial swelling, fever or other evidence of spreading infection. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Alveolar osteitis (dry socket)

The diagnosis is alveolar osteitis (dry socket). Its characteristic features are pain beginning approximately 24–48 hours after extraction, loss of the socket clot and an unpleasant taste or odour. Initial dental management is symptomatic: provide appropriate analgesia, gently irrigate the socket with saline and consider a suitable dressing. Antibiotics are not indicated unless there is spreading infection, systemic infection or a relevant immunocompromised state. Osteomyelitis is a deeper bony infection and would not usually present as an isolated empty socket at two days. Secondary haemorrhage presents with bleeding rather than predominant pain. An alveolar plate fracture is associated with extraction trauma and bony mobility. Cellulitis causes diffuse swelling and may be accompanied by systemic features.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), Management of Acute Dental Problems: Alveolar osteitis (dry socket), current online guidance, accessed 26 August 2026. https://www.acutedentalproblems.sdcep.org.uk/guidance/management-of-oral-conditions/common-oral-conditions/alveolar-osteitis-dry-socket/