ASSOCIATION OF DRY SOCKET (ALVEOLAR OSTETITIS) WITH GENDER AND EXTRACTION SITE (MAXILLARY VS MANDIBULAR) A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is a frequent postoperative complication after tooth extraction, with a high level of pain and slow healing. It is dependent on variables like gender and extraction site, and it has to be evaluated to enhance prevention and clinical outcomes.

Objective

To compare the relationship between gender and extraction location (maxillary vs. mandibular) and dry socket in patients who have had their tooth extracted.

Place and duration of study. From June 2025 to September 2025 Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Sandeman Provincial Hospital / Bolan Medical College / Hospital Quetta.

Methodology

This comparative study Retrospective study involved 100 patients (18-60 years old) who had their teeth extracted in a tertiary care hospital. Consecutive sampling was used. Age, gender, and extraction site data were taken. Clinical diagnosis of dry socket was followed 3 5 days after extraction in the patient. SPSS version 25 was used to perform the statistical analysis. Associations were evaluated using the chi-square test, and means were compared using an independent t-test, where p = 0.05 was taken as significant.

Results
Among 100 patients (58 males, 42 females), the mean age was 34.6±10.2 years. Dry socket occurred in 18% of cases. It was more frequent in females (66.7%) than males (33.3%), showing a significant association (p=0.032). Mandibular extractions accounted for 77.8% of dry socket cases compared to 22.2% in maxillary sites (p=0.018). Patients with dry socket had a slightly higher mean age (36.8±9.5 years) than those without (34.1±10.4 years), though not statistically significant (p=0.284).

Conclusion

Females and mandibular extractions are more prone to dry socket. Incidence can be lowered by identifying high-risk groups and implementing preventive measures to enhance postoperative outcomes