I did get dry sockets when I had all 4 of mine out back in 1998. However, the dry sockets only happened to the bottom teeth. Apparently according to my oral surgeon, it's not common for the upper holes to get dry sockets. But man, did it ever hurt!

Just follow his instructions, make sure not to create any sort of suction for the first few days....like smoking or drinking through straws, etc. (I unfortunately smoked before I was supposed to). That's a big part of making sure dry sockets won't happen.

If you do get dry sockets, they will have to put packing in the holes to protect the sockets. They feel much better after that's in. The packing gets changed every couple of days. If it's possible, ask them to dip the packing in clove oil before they put it in. My oral surgeon's assistant told me that clove oil has a numbing effect when you apply it to dry sockets...it just kinda sucks that everything after that has a clove taste to it....In my case, clove mashed potatoes, clove chocolate pudding, clove macaroni and cheese...yucky flavor, but I wouldn't have traded that numbing of my sore gums for anything.

Good luck!