What is the most likely cause of significant pain 72 hours after dental surgery?

What is the most likely cause of significant pain 72 hours after dental surgery?

• A. Normal healing process
• B. Infection
• C. Improper anesthesia
• D. Tooth sensitivity

Answer: (B)

Significant pain occurring 72 hours after dental surgery is most likely attributed to infection. After such procedures, some discomfort is expected as part of the normal healing process; however, if the pain intensifies or is marked by additional symptoms, it often indicates that an infection may have developed. This could be due to bacteria entering the surgical site, which can cause inflammation and increase pain as the body's immune response activates. Infections typically manifest a few days post-surgery, as they may not present immediately after the surgical trauma. Symptoms of infection can include swelling, fever, and drainage, in addition to escalating pain. While the normal healing process can involve pain, this usually decreases as the days pass. Improper anesthesia would likely lead to pain during the procedure or immediately following, rather than after a couple of days. Tooth sensitivity is generally a temporary condition linked to exposed dentin but would not cause significant pain in the aftermath of surgery. Thus, the most probable cause of notable pain at the 72-hour mark post-surgery is indeed infection.

Significant pain occurring 72 hours after dental surgery is most likely attributed to infection. After such procedures, some discomfort is expected as part of the normal healing process; however, if the pain intensifies or is marked by additional symptoms, it often indicates that an infection may have developed. This could be due to bacteria entering the surgical site, which can cause inflammation and increase pain as the body's immune response activates.

Infections typically manifest a few days post-surgery, as they may not present immediately after the surgical trauma. Symptoms of infection can include swelling, fever, and drainage, in addition to escalating pain.

While the normal healing process can involve pain, this usually decreases as the days pass. Improper anesthesia would likely lead to pain during the procedure or immediately following, rather than after a couple of days. Tooth sensitivity is generally a temporary condition linked to exposed dentin but would not cause significant pain in the aftermath of surgery. Thus, the most probable cause of notable pain at the 72-hour mark post-surgery is indeed infection.