Knowledge about the complications in healing of extraction wounds among dental students – A questionnaire-based study

Original Research

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Extraction of teeth is the most common procedure carried out in oral surgery clinics.  Uneventful healing of a post-extraction alveolus occurs in most cases following dental extraction. The hours after tooth extraction are critical, for if the blood clot is dislodged, the healing of tooth extraction maybe greatly delayed and extremely painful. Occasionally healing is complicated even in normal healthy patients. Complications in tooth extraction recovery includes alveolar osteitis, acutely inflamed alveolus, acutely infected alveolus, osteomyelitis, myospherulosis and fibrous healing of extraction wounds.

AIM:

To assess the knowledge about the complications in healing of extraction sockets among dental students.

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

200 dental students were the participants of this questionnaire-based study on knowledge about complications in healing of extraction sockets. Percentage of knowledge about the complications was calculated individually among third year, final year and internship students and results were tabulated.

RESULTS:

In the present study, about of 65.8% third year students,97.3% of final year students,98.35% of interns are knowledgeable that complications may arise during extraction wounds healing.58.15% of third year students,68.9% of final year students and 76.82% of interns are aware about the risk factors of dry socket. 61.7% of third year students,64.5% of final year students and 73.3% of interns have good knowledge about the signs & symptoms of dry socket.81.7% of third year,91.5% of final year students and 94.5% interns are familiar with prevention and management of dry sockets.

CONCLUSION:

There is always an enhanced knowledge about all the aspects of dry sockets among the interns when compared to the third year and final year students, probably due to better clinical exposure.