What is a common characteristic of dry socket?

A common characteristic of dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is the delayed onset of symptoms. After the extraction of a tooth, patients may initially experience some pain, but in cases of dry socket, the intense pain typically does not manifest immediately. Instead, it tends to develop a few days after the extraction, usually around the third to fifth day. This delayed onset is due to the exposure of the underlying bone and nerves after the blood clot has either dissolved or become dislodged from the socket, leading to significant discomfort as the area becomes inflamed.

In the context of the other options, immediate pain relief would not be characteristic of dry socket, as patients usually have a sudden increase in pain. A radiopaque area is typically associated with other conditions and imaging findings, rather than dry socket. The presence of bony fragments might occur in some cases, but it is not a defining or common characteristic of dry socket itself.