dry socket

[LLWB]

I had the upper back molar removed on Monday July 6th, by an oral surgeon. He said it was a normal extraction. I followed all of the discharge advice, rinsing with saltwater, soft foods, etc., except I do smoke. By Friday I was still experiencing a lot of pain. On Sunday night the 12th, my jaw was very painful, the gum was throbbing, even my ear hurt, and there was swelling under my eye. I saw my regular dentist on Monday. I already had an idea (gotta love
google) that I had a dry socket. My dentist confirmed it, and gave me Lortab for pain, and a course of antibiotics. He didn't pack it, as he said there was a lot of studies going on that indicated it didn't do any better than the oral antibiotics. It seems to be somewhat better, maybe 30%.

I am just wondering how long it takes for this condition to heal? He gave me enough antibiotics for 7 days.So do I just have to tough it out until it eventually goes away?  I didn't return to the Oral Surgeon, as it was a 120 mile round trip, vs 1/2 mile to my dentist.  Any information greatly appreciated.  By the way, it made my TMD pain flare up again, which I expected. I have an internal derangment of the TM disc. The extraction was in prep for a hard guard to wear in hopes of getting the disc back in place. Any info about the success of this procedure also appreciated.

[LLWB]

Thank you for your reply. I'm always the one who has to do things differently, or if anything can go wrong it will, lol. It does seem to be slowly improving. Re the disc, I have degenerative osteo-arthritis, which affects the joints and discs in my spine, and my dentist is attributing the derangment to the arthritis also. Unfortunatly there are no TMJ specialists where I live. I would be approx 400 mile round trip each time, which isn't possible since I work.Again, thank you for your reply.

[scottma]

Dry socket is rarely associated with upper molar extraction. Post -op pain of upper molar extraction is generally minimal or non at all. However, smoking does encourage infection and delayed wound healing.Complete the full antibiotics course is essential, although you may be free of symptoms after 2-3 days of antibiotics.
Tmj symptoms may be triggered by stessful eventsInternal derangement of tmj or disc displacement may or may not be reduced via occlusal appliance treatment.However, if occlusal appliance is well made,tmj position and associated musculature can function harmoniously, which may stop further damage to tmj and encouge healing process.If disc displacement is caused by malfunction of lubrication system, tmj irrigation is helpful. Seeing a competent tmj specialist is advised.