Treatment of alveolitis

The main symptom is pain, which at the initial stage appears in waves. The character of the pain is dull, throbbing, with a tendency to increase. In the absence of treatment for alveolitis, the pain becomes sharp, shooting, radiating to the jaw, temple, ear, and neck area.

Since the blood clot is absent, the socket is completely open, and the bone is well visible. During palpation of the affected area, a painful swelling is detected. The putrid smell is caused by the decomposition of the blood clot and the accumulation of food debris.

In most cases, the inflammatory process is limited to the walls of the socket, but ignoring the problem and improper care of the oral cavity can lead to such serious complications as abscess, phlegmon, osteomyelitis of the jaw, and lymphadenitis. To prevent the exacerbation of the pathology, urgent measures must be taken. The treatment regimen is developed by dentists based on diagnostic conclusions.

In most cases, a medical examination provides grounds for the correct diagnosis, but in some cases, dentists prescribe X-rays to detect residual fragments of the tooth and bone tissue. These appointments are advisable if no X-ray control was performed after the operation, as well as when the patient complains of an increase in pain.

In advanced cases of alveolitis, the skin becomes pale, and the configuration of the face changes due to soft tissue swelling on the side of the extracted tooth. As the inflammatory process progresses, alveolitis treatment becomes more prolonged, and in the event of complications, a comprehensive therapeutic course is prescribed ― either directly in the hospital or with the possibility of outpatient visits to the clinic.

The main task of a dentist is to determine the severity of complications after tooth extraction and the development model of the inflammatory process. It is also important to identify factors that contribute to the development of negative consequences in order to develop the correct treatment scheme for alveolitis.

The clinical picture of postoperative complications may resemble some other pathologies, in particular:

• Jaw trauma
• Sharp edges of the alveolus
• Periostitis and osteomyelitis
• Sinusitis of the upper jaw (in the acute stage).

Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve can cause the same pain as with the development of alveolitis. During the examination by a dentist, the true causes of the complications and symptoms are determined.

The basis of alveolitis treatment is antiseptic agents placed in the socket. These preparations protect tissues from infection until the start of granulation. If fragments of bone tissue are found in the socket, a complete curettage is performed under local anesthesia. Symptomatic drugs help to relieve pain and discomfort.

At the iStomatolog clinic, the Japanese Iodo-Glycol Paste Neo is used as an antiseptic and antimicrobial agent, which has a powerful bactericidal effect due to the content of iodine and a calming effect due to the action of glycerin, while additional components ensure intensive bone healing. The use of the paste creates a number of advantages:

• Pain relief;
• Prevention of side effects;
• Minimal restrictions (can be used in pediatric dentistry);
• High biological availability.

The "Iodo-Glycol" paste is successfully used not only in the treatment of alveolitis but also in the relief of inflammatory lesions of the oral mucosa and peri-tooth tissues, as well as in ulcerative gingivitis and bleeding gums.

First and foremost, the speed of wound healing depends on the condition of the immune system. Proper oral hygiene and following the doctor's recommendations after tooth extraction, as well as the effects of medication, also play an important role. If a woman is taking oral contraceptives, she should consult with her gynecologist about the possibility of temporarily discontinuing them.

The success of recovery also depends on the skill of the surgeon who selects the technique for tooth extraction, the type and dosage of anesthesia. The less traumatic the tissue is subjected to, the better the prognosis for rapid healing.

Taking antibiotics for the prevention of complications and alveolitis is not always justified: firstly, it increases the drug load on the body; secondly, it increases the risk of developing resistance to drugs.