What is Pericoronitis and How Is It Treated?

Posted on 5/15/2020 by Pacific Oral and Facial Surgery Center

Pericoronitis is a condition that involves the swelling of the gum tissue around the wisdom teeth at the end of your jaw. When the third molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, begin to erupt, sometimes they only show the tips and end up not growing fully. This leaves spaces around the gum. After eating, food gets caught in the spaces, as well as plaque which is the microbial film that surrounds a tooth. This buildup is dangerous as it harbors bacteria which introduces the pericoronitis condition.

What Are The Symptoms Associated With Pericoronitis

When the gum is infected, a patient experiences inflammation of the gums around the third molars. This is usually the first sign that they are infected with Pericoronitis. Patients report experiencing pain while swallowing and difficulty when trying to open their mouths wide. The presence of abscess is another sign that leads to bad breath which occurs when the pus leaks from the gums flowing into the mouth. Other symptoms include swelling of the entire jaw as well as experiencing lockjaw. There are cases where the patients will experience neck pains, especially on the sides.

How Can Pericoronitis Be Treated?

A dentist can assess the situation by examining your jaw and teeth. They may also use an x-ray to better explain the full scope of the gum infection. After this, they recommend a treatment based on the results. They can settle on either reducing the flap of tissue that covers the area or full extraction of the tooth. These options involve oral surgery. There are other methods that use laser treatment to reduce pain and gum inflammation.
This is a condition that requires the examination of a certified doctor who will also take you through the required treatment plans. Call us at our office today and learn more about pericoronitis from our specialists.

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The surgical specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery requires up to six additional years of hospital based surgical and anesthesia training beyond dental school.

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Dental Blog | Livermore & Tracy CA | Michael Beckley DDS
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Pacific Oral and Facial Surgery Center, 1133 E Stanley Blvd #215, Livermore, CA 94550 : 925-290-7727 : pacificofs.com : 9/9/2024 : Related Phrases: oral surgeon Livermore :