Straws do not cause dry sockets when third molars are extracted

Abstract

Purpose: To provide evidence in contrast to a widely held belief that the dry socket, i.e., Alveolar Osteitis (AO), is primarily a biological process and not a mechanical disruption or removal of the clot due to suction from utilizing a straw in the postoperative period.

Patients and methods: Sixty randomly selected patients had all 4 third molars extracted. One half of the patients were given straws to use with all meals for 2 days after surgery.

Results: Two-hundred-twenty teeth were extracted. No dry socket occurred in the maxilla, 17 occurred in the mandible; 8 or 15% who had used a straw and 9 or 15% who did not.

Conclusion: There is no evidence that there is an increased incidence of dry sockets when using a straw in the first 2 days after third molars have been extracted.