Is the risk of dry sockets greater when the wounds have not been stitched closed??? I had two impacted Wisdom Teeth removed just before Chrsitmas 2002, and my dental surgeon sutured the wounds closed. I was out of hospital and out Christmas shopping the same day, and eating normally by the next day. (Not sure if I was just lucky, or have a high pain thresh-hold??? - the Doc DID seem surprised that I bounced back so quickly, but other than the stitches tickling I had no real problems. (The dentist actually closed for Christmas and I took the stitches out myself 5 days later)!!!

Is there a connection between getting the wound stitched and the prevention of dry sockets - all the info I have read seems to indicate it is a gaping/open wound, so I would have thought this could possibly be avoided by stitching the wounds closed after the extraction?

Best of luck and (((HUGS)) to you - hope your experience will be as smooth and painless as mine!