Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs Alveolar osteitisUpdated: 2017-06-13OverviewSocket (alveolar osteitis) is a painful dental condition occurring 3 to 4 days after an adult tooth is removed.SymptomsThe blood clot that should form after removal is dislodged or dissolved before the wound heals, exposing underlying bone and nerves. This causes pain.TreatmentsTreatment includes prescription pain drugs and flushing the area. © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use