Alveolitis

In dentistry, the inflammation of a tooth socket.

1. Inflammation of alveoli.
2. Inflammation of a tooth socket.

Inflammation of the walls of the alveoli; definition of pulmonary, dental, mammary preferred.

• diffuse a. — see interstitial pneumonia.
• diffuse fibrosing a. — see atypical interstitial pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: inflammation in the socket of a tooth; sometimes occurs after a tooth is extracted and a blood clot fails to form
  Synonym: dry socket

Meaning #2: inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs caused by inhaling dust; with repeated exposure the condition may become chronic

Alveolitis can refer to two inflammatory conditions. It can refer to inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs, or the dental alveolus in the jaw.

Alveolus in the jaw is also known as dry socket. This type of inflamed tooth socket is usually seen after tooth extractions in smokers or people with diabetes.

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis is a lung disorder resulting from repeated inhalation of organic dust, usually in a specific occupational setting. In the acute form, respiratory symptoms and fever begin eighteen hours after exposure to the dust. The chronic form is characterized by gradual changes in the lung tissue associated with four years of exposure to the irritant. This may eventually lead to Interstitial lung disease.^[1]

References

1. ^ Ismail T, McSharry C, Boyd G (2006). "Extrinsic allergic alveolitis". Respirology 11 (3): 262–8. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1843.2006.00839.x. PMID 16635083. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=1323-7799&date=2006&volume=11&issue=3&spage=262. 

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