Fibrinolytic Activity of Alveolar Bone in «Dry Socket»

Abstract

The present study dealt with the fibrinolytic activity of alveolar bone in alveolitis sicca dolorosa (ASD) or «dry socket». It was shown that 1) alveolar bone in ASD contains stable tissue activators but no labile activators, and 2) alveolar bone in ASD contains free plasmin.

These findings were compared with previous investigations of the fibrinolytic activity in normal alveolar bone, and it was concluded that liberation of the tissue activators has taken place in ASD. The importance of this conclusion for the etiology and pathogenesis of ASD were discussed.