Pericoronitis

Introduction: -

The term pericoronitis originates from the Greek word, peri means “around”, Latin word corona signifies “crown” and itis signifies “inflammation”.

Pericoronitis is defined as the inflammation of soft tissues associated with infection in relation to the crown of partially erupted tooth including the gingiva and dental follicle. It is also named as operculitis.

Classification: -

Pericoronitis may be classified as an acute and chronic pericoronitis.

Acute pericoronitis – Acute pericoronitis is sudden and short lived associated with many severe symptoms such as fever, swelling and pain. These symptoms may demonstrate that the infection is continuing to spread.

Chronic pericoronitis – Chronic or recurrent pericoronitis may associated with periodic occurrence of repeated episodes of acute pericoronitis. Chronic pericoronitis can cause few symptoms if any but some signs are usually noticeable at the time of intraoral examination.

Risk factors for pericoronitis: -

Presence of unerupted or partially erupted tooth and impacted wisdom tooth (mandibular third molars are most commonly associated with pericoronitis).

Accumulation of food debris beneath the operculum.

Patient having previous history of pericoronitis.

Patient having poor oral hygiene may also affected.

Excessive gingival tissue around partially erupted tooth.

 Stress

Pregnancy

Clinical features: -

Severe throbbing pain that can radiate to ear, throat, floor of the mouth, temporomandibular joint, and the posterior submandibular region. Pain may disturb sleep and there is also difficulty on chewing.

Difficulty in mouth opening

Swelling and redness of gingiva

Tenderness

Halitosis or bad breath

Dysphagia

Fever

  Loss of appetite

 Swollen lymph nodes

                                                 

Management of pericoronitis: -

Pain management – For relieving from pain certain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen should be prescribed. Use of chlorhexidine mouthwashes as prescribed by dentist for cleansing the affected area. Irrigation with normal saline has to be done.

Operculectomy – This is a minor surgical procedure in which there is removal of the operculum or overlapping gingival tissue that partially covers the tooth.

Removal or extraction of the wisdom tooth.