How are dry sockets treated?
Left alone, dry sockets will always heal. It may take a month or more, and the pain is persistent for the entire period of healing. Antibiotics are not useful in curing a dry socket, and the usual pain medications are not very effective. It is better to go back to the dentist who extracted the tooth and let him or her “pack” the socket. This is a procedure done (usually) without anesthesia even though it can be painful. It does not take too long, and the pain relief is almost complete, beginning a few minutes after the socket is packed. The first packing will provide relief for 12 to 24 hours. As you return to the dentist and the old packing is removed, the socket is washed out and a new packing is placed. Each succeeding packing debrides (cleans) the socket and renews the pain relief. A second packing may last 24 to 48 hours, and succeeding packings may last longer still. Within three packings, or sometimes more depending on the severity of the dry socket, the wound begins to heal fro
