Dental Assistant Practice Exam

Dry socket is a complication that can occur after which dental procedure?

1. Tooth extraction

2. Root canal therapy

3. Dental filling

4. Oral surgery

The correct answer is: Tooth extraction

Dry socket, known medically as alveolar osteitis, is a complication that can arise following a tooth extraction, particularly the removal of wisdom teeth. This condition occurs when the blood clot that normally forms at the site of the extraction either dissolves or becomes dislodged before the healing process is complete. The blood clot is crucial for protecting the underlying bone and nerves, and its absence can lead to severe pain and delayed healing. While dry socket primarily relates to tooth extractions, the other procedures listed—root canal therapy, dental filling, and oral surgery—typically do not lead to this specific complication. Root canal therapy involves treating the inside of a tooth and does not involve extraction of tissue from the jaw, making dry socket an unlikely occurrence. Dental fillings, which involve repairing a cavity, also do not create an open wound in the same way that an extraction does. Oral surgery encompasses a variety of dental surgical procedures, but without the extraction of a tooth, the risk of developing dry socket is significantly less. Thus, understanding that dry socket is closely associated with tooth extractions highlights the importance of proper postoperative care and awareness of symptoms for those who have undergone this specific procedure.