Discomfort after a dental extraction can be caused by two different complications: a postoperative infection or a dry socket. A postoperative infection can occur when bacteria invade the surgical site, leading to an infection. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, redness, pus discharge, fever, and a bad taste or smell in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene, a weakened immune system, or contamination during the procedure can cause postoperative infections. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, proper oral hygiene, and sometimes additional dental intervention to clean the infected area. A dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot that usually forms in the socket after a tooth extraction becomes dislodged or fails to form properly. This leaves the underlying bone and nerves exposed to air, food, and bacteria, causing severe pain and discomfort. A dry socket usually occurs 2-5 days after an extraction and is more common after wisdom tooth removal. Risk factors include smoking, oral contraceptives, and a history of dry socket. Treatment involves pain management, socket irrigation, and placement of a medicated dressing to promote healing and protect the exposed bone. To summarize, the main difference between a postoperative infection and a dry socket is the cause: postoperative infections result from bacterial invasion, while dry sockets are due to the dislodged or improperly formed blood clot in the extraction site. The treatments also differ, with antibiotics being the primary treatment for infections and socket protection being the focus for dry socket management.