Dry socket wisdom tooth extraction

[s76l42]

Hello, I am 58 years old and had my 2 bottom wisdom teeth and a molar removed by an oral surgeon on 10-01-2025. The wisdom teeth were partially impacted. The right wisdom tooth and molar required a surgical extraction, and I received stitches on that side. The left wisdom tooth was extracted without surgery, no stitches. I was remarkably surprised that I had almost no pain or swelling after. I took Motrin and Tylenol every 6 hours the first 2 days and also amoxicillin for 7 days.
On day 3 after the extraction while eating the blood clot on the left wisdom tooth broke away. I have a bit of pain and extreme sensitivity to anything cold in that socket. It is not the adjacent tooth that is sensitive it is the socket. Since it has now been 6 days since losing the blood clot is there still a chance for a dry socket and pain? I am worried sick I am suddenly going to start experiencing severe pain.
I texted my oral surgeon the day it happened and he said if it was a dry socket I would experience extreme pain, so it is not a dry socket.
Is it normal to feel extreme sensitivity in the socket after a wisdom tooth extraction and should I feel safe that it will not get painful? Is it a dry socket since I lost the blood clot prematurely?

What would be causing the extreme sensitivity and how long should I expect it to last?

Also, from what I understand there is no treatment for a dry socket that does anything except provide pain relief. If that is true there is no benefit for me to visit the oral surgeon being that he would only pack the socket and offer pain medication. Is that true? I have read that the packing can actually slow down the recovery process is that true as well?

Thank you.

 

[Dr M]

It does not sound like a dry socket. A dry socket is usually accompanied with a bad taste or smell and severe pain. If you are not experiencing this, the most likely you only have normal post operative surgical pain. Remember, teeth were taken out after all.
Even though the sensitivity feels like it comes from the socket, there is a chance that it might be due to the adjacent tooth next to the extraction site. You can then have some referred pain to the socket. When you lose a tooth, the back side of the adjacent tooth is exposed to oral fluids, normal fluids, air etc. which could all cause sensitivity.

 

[s76l42]

It does not sound like a dry socket. A dry socket is usually accompanied with a bad taste or smell and severe pain. If you are not experiencing this, the most likely you only have normal post operative surgical pain. Remember, teeth were taken out after all.
Even though the sensitivity feels like it comes from the socket, there is a chance that it might be due to the adjacent tooth next to the extraction site. You can then have some referred pain to the socket. When you lose a tooth, the back side of the adjacent tooth is exposed to oral fluids, normal fluids, air etc. which could all cause sensitivity.

Thank you for your reply, the pain and sensitivity started immediately after I lost the blood clot. Is it true that unless you are in extreme pain there is no need to treat a dry socket and that the packing can actually delay healing? As you say this may just be normal after the extraction, but I am curious about treatment if it were in fact a dry socket. Do dry sockets always heal on their own without intervention?

 

[Dr M]

Yes. Dry sockets are self limiting. It will go away on its own. If the pain is not that severe, just be a little bit patient.

 

[s76l42]

Yes. Dry sockets are self limiting. It will go away on its own. If the pain is not that severe, just be a little bit patient.

Thank you.