Acute alveolar osteitis

Background

• Osteomyelitis of alveolar bone d/t premature loss of healing clot after tooth extraction

Diagnosis

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

DDX

Dental Problems

Treatment

1. Analgesia
   1. Often requires dental block
2. Irrigate and suction
3. Pack with ribbon gauze soaked with eugenol or local anesthetic
4. Penicillin VK 500mg PO QID OR clindamycin 300mg PO QID
5. Referral to dentist within 24hr

Source

• EBmedicine: Acute Dental Emergencies in Emergency Medicine
• Tintinalli

See Also

• Dental Problems
• Dental Numbers