Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Blum defined dry socket as the presence of postoperative pain in and around the extraction site that worsens 1-3 days after the extraction. METHODS: 90 female patients seeking extraction of a single tooth in the lower posterior region were divided randomly into 45 patients who received vitamin E inside the socket after extraction (study group) and 45 patients who did not receive vitamin E after extraction (control group). RESULTS: After 3 days, there was a decrease in pain levels in the study group compared to the control group. Only 7 patients out of 45 (16%) suffered from pain compared to 17 patients out of 45 (38%) in the control group. So, the improvement in pain was statistically significant P = 0.02. After 7 days, there was a decrease in wound healing levels in the study group compared to the control group. Only 8 patients out of 45 (17%) had poor wound healing compared to 7 patients out of 45 (16%) in the control group. However, the improvement in wound healing was not statistically significant P = 0.8. CONCLUSION: Based on the current results, we recommend the use of vitamin E as topical intra-socket medication in reducing the early postoperative pain.