What is the likely diagnosis for a patient who experiences an infection after tooth extraction?

• A. Pericoronitis
• B. Subperiosteal abscess
• C. Normal healing process
• D. Dry socket

Answer: (B)

The diagnosis of a subperiosteal abscess is highly plausible in cases where a patient develops an infection following a tooth extraction. This condition occurs when pus accumulates beneath the periosteum, which is the layer of connective tissue surrounding the bones. After tooth extraction, there is potential disruption and infection leading to the formation of an abscess if bacteria invade the surgical site. A subperiosteal abscess can present with pain, swelling, and tenderness, indicating an infection that requires treatment.

Other conditions might seem relevant but differentiate themselves in clinical characteristics. Pericoronitis usually refers to inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding a partially erupted tooth, often seen with wisdom teeth but not directly related to a recent extraction. The normal healing process would not involve signs of infection such as increased pain, swelling, or pus formation. Dry socket, while another possible complication of tooth extraction, specifically refers to the loss of the blood clot at the extraction site and subsequent exposure of underlying bone, leading to pain and delayed healing but not necessarily an active infection like a subperiosteal abscess. Thus, the context of an actual infection aligns most closely with the diagnosis of a subperiosteal abscess.