Acute alveolar osteitis

Background

Osteomyelitis of the alveolar bone due to premature loss of the healing clot after tooth extraction

Diagnosis

1. 2-4 days after tooth extraction
2. Initial post-extraction pain subsides followed by sudden/severe pain at extraction site
3. Physical exam often unremarkable

Treatment

1. Analgesia
   1. Often requires dental block
2. Irrigate and suction
3. Pack with gauze soaked with eugenol or local anesthetic
4. Refer to dentist or have pt return to ED in 24-36 hrs to have the gauze replaced

See Also

Dental Problems

Dental Numbers

Source

EBmedicine: Acute Dental Emergencies in Emergency Medicine