Signs of Dry Socket vs Infection: How to Tell the Difference (From an Alabama Bone Graft Expert)

By a U.S.-based dental implant and bone graft specialist practicing in Alabama
Introduction: Two Conditions Patients Often Confuse
After a tooth extraction, most patients expect some discomfort—but not all pain is the same. In my practice across Alabama, one of the most common emergency calls I receive starts like this:
“Doc, I think I have an infection… or maybe it’s something else?”















