Pericoronitis is inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the crown of a partially erupted tooth, mostly associated with wisdom teeth. It is caused by a buildup of bacteria and debris under the protective flap of tissue (operculum). Acute pericoronitis causes pain, swelling, and other inflammation signs. It can become chronic with recurrent episodes. Treatment involves managing pain, flushing out debris, using antiseptics and antibiotics, and sometimes surgically removing the operculum or extracting the impacted tooth once symptoms subside.

1. Pericoronitis
MOHAMMED SADEQ
AKRAM HATIM
MOHAMMED QASIM
HUSSAIN ABD ZAHRA RUBAEI
HUSSAIN ALI FARHAN
YASSEIN HAMID

2. Definition:
Pericoronitis (from the Greek peri,
"around", Latin corona "crown" and -
itis, "inflammation") is inflammation of
the soft tissues surrounding the crown
of a partially erupted tooth. It is
mostly associated with the eruption of
the third molar (wisdom tooth).

3. The soft tissue covering a partially erupted
tooth is known as an operculum, an area
which can be difficult to access with
normal oral hygiene methods. Pericoronitis
is caused by an accumulation of bacteria
and debris beneath the operculum, or by
mechanical
trauma (e.g. biting the operculum with the
opposing tooth).

4. 1. Impaction of food and plaque accumulation under the
operculum
2.Can be caused by normal oral flora if host defences are
compromised during minor illnesses such as influenza or
when using immunosuppressant drugs
3.Can be caused by minor trauma from the antagonist tooth

5. 1. Streptococci
2.Anaerobic bacteria such as Pepto cocci, Pepto Streptococci,
Bacteroides and Fusobacteria
3.Most of oral flora, such as Spirochetes and Fusi-form bacilli

6. Pericoronitis
Acute
Chronic
Types of Pericoronitis

7. 1. Acute pericoronitis (i.e. sudden onset and short lived, but
significant, symptoms) is defined as "varying degrees of
inflammatory involvement of the opercular flap and adjacent
structures, as well as by systemic complications.“ the signs and
symptoms include the common signs and symptoms of an
inflammation such as redness heatness swelling and pain.

8. Chronic or recurrent, with repeated
episodes of acute pericoronitis
occurring periodically. It may cause mild
infection symptoms that can be found
in the oral cavity when examined.

9. 1. Common inflammation signs, such as swelling and redness
2. Foul taste in the mouth from exudation of pus.
3. Trismus resulting from inflammation and infection of the
muscles of mastication.
4. Dysphagia.
5. Facial swelling and redness of the cheek.
6. Radiating pain to ear, throat, and to the floor of the mouth.

11. We can treat patient non surgically by managing
pain and resolving the infection
The management of pain can be done by using over
the counter medications such as acetaminophen or
ibuprofen
To manage the infection we can
• flush the area by warm water to remove the debris
and exudates
• Then swabbing with antiseptics
• antibiotics such as amoxicillin or Erythromycin can
be prescribed in severe cases

12. If the tooth is retained
operculectomy (the removal of
peri coronal flap) can be done
using periodontal knives or
electro surgery. The tissue distal
to the tooth is removed along
with the occlusal portion of the
flap to avoid formation of deep
distal pocket. Then periodontal
pack is applied

13. • If the 3rd molar is impacted it is advisable to extract it as soon
as the acute symptoms and signs have subsided.
• If the position of the 3rd molar is positioned buccally with no
attached buccal gingiva, or the tooth is placed too far distally
rendering it difficult to remove the gingival tissue adequately
to create a plaque free environment. In these two conditions it
is also advisable to extract the tooth.

14. • Douglass AB, Douglass JM (Feb 1, 2003). "Common dental
emergencies". American Family Physician. 67 (3): 511–6. PMID 12588073.
• Laskaris, George (2003). Color Atlas of Oral Diseases. Thieme. p. 176.
ISBN 1-58890-138-6. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
• Moloney J, Stassen LFA (June–July 2009). "Pericoronitis: treatment and a
clinical dilemma" (PDF). Journal of the Irish Dental Association. 55 (4):
190–192.
References