The incidence of dry socket following the use of an occlusive dressing

One thousand and three patients were examined to assess healing following the extraction of teeth. Particular note was taken of the incidence of dry socket following these extractions, and a controlled trial using a soluble occlusive dressing (intra-oral adhesive bandage) over the extraction site was undertaken to monitor the effect on healing. Comparison with surveys from other parts of the world showed general agreement with the level of incidence of dry socket cases. Three groups of patients were compared. In the control group a bandage was not used, and the remaining patients in whom a bandage was applied were divided into those with a full socket after extraction and those with a less than full socket after extraction. The results were examined statistically by the χ 2 test and a significant reduction in the occurrence of dry socket was demonstrated for the last group.