POSTEXTRACTION  HEMORRHAGE Postextraction  hemorrhage  may  occur  any  time from a few hours to several days after the extraction of a tooth. The bleeding from the extraction site may be light or heavy. Any form of hemorrhage is considered serious, so inform the dentist as soon as possible. Symptoms A patient with postextraction hemorrhage may complain of the following symptoms: Bleeding that starts, or fails to stop, after an extraction Large amounts of blood in the mouth Weakness in conjunction with blood loss Blood on the pillow after sleeping Signs When you examine a patient for postextraction hemorrhage, you may observe the following signs: Blood oozing or flowing from a recent extraction site Blood or a large blood clot in the patient’s mouth Treatment Perform the emergency treatment guidelines and notify the dentist. Until the dentist arrives, monitor the patient’s vital signs and watch for changes in his or her condition. To help stop the bleeding, place a pack of moistioned sterile gauze over the extraction site and instruct the patient to bite down firmly. POSTEXTRACTION  ALVEOLAR OSTEITIS Postextraction  alveolar  osteitis  is  a  condition commonly referred to as a dry socket. It normally results when a blood clot fails to form or washes out of the socket of a recently extracted tooth. This condition is very painful. Symptoms A patient who has recently had a tooth extracted may complain of the following: Severe constant pain that can run from the ear to the lower jaw Loss of blood clot Signs Upon examination of the patient, you may observe the following signs: The absence of a blood clot Food visible in the socket Alveolar bone visible in the socket A foul odor in the mouth An elevated temperature Treatment To  provide  emergency  treatment  for  postex- traction  alveolar  osteitis,  you  may  perform  the following precautions: Perform the emergency treatment guidelines. Gently rinse the socket with a warm saline solution. Moisten a small strip of iodoform gauze with eugenol. Blot the gauze dry on a 2 × 2 gauze pad. Place the strip of iodoform gauze loosely in the socket. Do not exert pressure on the socket. Instruct the patient to return the next day for a dressing  change FRACTURED TEETH Pain from fractured teeth usually results from exposed dentin, or irritation of the pulp tissue as a result of trauma. You may also observe lacerations of the gingiva, lips, and cheeks. Except in a few rare cases, the dental officer will treat all tooth fractures. If authorized, the Dental Technician’s primary duty is to lessen the pain and, if possible, prevent further injury to the patient until the dentist arrives to provide more definitive emergency treatment. You must be able to recognize the four different types of tooth fractures as illustrated in figure 6-6. Symptoms (Type I—Enamel Fracture) A patient Rough or sharp area on a tooth Pain when eating or drinking may complain of the following: Sensitivity to heat, cold, or air 6-7