If a patient exhibits excessive swelling and pain after a tooth extraction, what condition should be considered?

In the context of postoperative complications following a tooth extraction, excessive swelling and pain can indicate a subperiosteal abscess. This condition occurs when an infection accumulates within the tissue overlying the bone, often as a result of bacterial infection at the extraction site. Patients typically present with pronounced swelling, pain, and sometimes fever, which aligns with the symptoms described in the question.

Recognizing a subperiosteal abscess is critical because it signifies that an infection has progressed beyond the immediate area of the extraction, potentially affecting surrounding tissues and requiring prompt treatment. Treatment may involve drainage of the abscess, along with antibiotics to manage the infection effectively.

While other conditions such as dry socket, osteomyelitis, and normal post-operative healing could present with pain or discomfort, the symptoms of excessive swelling and intense pain in this scenario are more indicative of an abscess formation rather than a complication like dry socket, which typically presents with localized pain a few days after extraction but without the significant swelling seen in an abscess.