Pericoronitis is an infection involving a partially impacted lower wisdom tooth. Usually there is a small flap of gingiva that partially covers this tooth and the area becomes infected. Patients with a pericoronitis experience soreness in the gums behind their mandibular second molar. Other symptoms can vary, but can include trismus (pain on opening), restricted opening, pain when swallowing and also localized swelling of the cheek on the affected side. Patients may or may not run a fever. Treatment of this condition is indicated and usually involves a visit to the dentist and course of the appropriate antibiotic. Rinsing with warm saline solution is also often recommended.
Once the infection diminishes and the symptoms subside a decision should be made on whether the tooth involved should come out. If the tooth frequently get re-infected than an extraction is usually indicated.
Hello Dr. Spindel,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your post regarding pericoronitis and strongly agree with your description and treatment reccomendtions.
As an oral surgeon, I often see this problem in patients as they come in for an emergency visit. Pericoronitis can progress to a very serious infection, if left untreated. Having wisdom teeth evaluated with a panoramic xray before they become problematic, is the best conservative advice I can provide.
Thank you,
Dr. Paul Calat
www.manhattanoralsurgery.com
Wonderful post Thanks!
ReplyDeletehow long does it take to heal after the dentists prescribes antibiotics? my dentist gave me them over a week ago and my gums are still swollen and in pain
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