There is no such thing as a partial dry socket because the condition does not exist on a spectrum, you either have it or you don't have it. However, most patients mistake other oral conditions as a partially dry socket after an extraction. Some of these conditions may need treatment while others don't!
Can you have a partial dry socket?
It's not possible to have a partial dry socket after an extraction or wisdom tooth removal because the condition does not exist.
A dry socket is a yes or no condition meaning you either have it or you don't have it. There is no in between state or stage for this dreaded post-extraction condition.
Ultimately it is very helpful for you to be able to distinguish whether you have a dry socket vs just a normal healing socket. Although a tell-tale sign of having it is if you're experiencing excruciating pain. Yes, a raging toothache unlike anything that you've felt before.
Attributes | Dry Socket | Normal Socket |
|---|---|---|
Appearance | Yellow exposed bone | Red (blood clot), white (white stuff) |
Sensation | Increasing pain | Decreasing pain |
Odor | Bad breath, Smell, Taste | Bad breath, smell, taste, food can get stuck |
Healing speed | Delayed socket closure | Socket closure over time |
Partial dry socket treatment: Unfortunately there is no cure for it and the most that your dentist can do for you is palliative treatment.
Apply dry socket paste.
Induce bleeding in the area to get it to heal faster.
Pain medication.
Patience because this condition will resolve on its own but it can take longer than a normal healing socket.
What a "partial dry socket" can look like
If it is actually a dry socket, it will have the appearance of yellow exposed bone that is devoid of a blood clot.
However, if you start seeing other colors within the socket such as red, white, or black, it could mean something else.
What else it could be
Patients often see something in their extraction socket and assume that it is a partial dry socket but it is usually some other oral condition.
What you may see in a socket:
Red socket
White socket
Black socket
Extraction socket looks red
If you the socket looks red, it is definitely not a partial dry socket because what you're seeing is a normal blood clot.
The very definition of a dry socket is that it is devoid of a blood clot. However, if you see red it means there IS a blood clot in there so it cannot be it!
What you need to do: You should count this as a blessing because it is a part of the normal healing process. You should give it a few days or a week and take a look again. As long as you're not in excruciating pain it's probably just a regular ole blood clot.
Extraction socket looks white
If the socket looks white and you're not having any pain, it is most likely just white stuff (granulation tissue).
What you need to do: If you have this, it is good news because it means you are well on your way to recovery. This is a part of the normal healing process. Our dentists like to call this the ugly duckling phase because usually a week or so after this stage, the gums start closing over it.
Extraction socket looks black
A tooth extraction socket that looks black is actually normal and is not a socket that is partially dry. It looks black due to light being unable to reach into it.
What you need to do: You don't need to do anything for this black hole because it will slowly get smaller and smaller over time. In other words it is a normal part of the healing process.
The best way to tell if this is normal or not is if you're feeling pain. This condition should be painless, if it is not, it may be something else...
Verdict
While a partially dry socket does not exist, it could be a different oral condition. If you are concerned you should book a consultation with one of our dentists in Long island City and we can verify for you whether it is a post-extraction complication or not.
