Pericoronitis is an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the wisdom tooth, also known as the third molar. Pericoronitis occurs in impacted molars that are not entirely visible. Pericoronitis is familiar in the lower molars than in the upper.
People affected by pericoronitis pain usually have a flap of gum tissue covering partially the emerging tooth’s crown. When affected by severe discomfort, you may consider pericoronitis home treatment using warm salt water rinses, over-the-counter pain relievers, oral water irrigators, and maintaining appropriate dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing. However, you must see your dentist or oral surgeon for a customized treatment plan to ensure you overcome the condition as soon as possible.
The occurrence of pericoronitis is when you have a partially impacted molar. Bacteria causes inflammation around the soft tissue by accumulating around it. Your risk of pericoronitis is higher in the following conditions.
Overall, health isn’t revealed as a risk factor for pericoronitis.
Pericoronitis is a wisdom tooth infection, and the symptoms can vary depending on whether the condition is chronic or acute. The symptoms of this condition include:
The symptoms of chronic pericoronitis can include:
When you visit the dental clinic near you to have the condition diagnosed, the dentist examines your tooth to determine if it has partially erupted and checks for a gum flap. The dentist also takes x-rays and notes your symptoms.
Pain and swelling around the molar is the primary complication of pericoronitis. You may also experience lockjaw or challenges biting down. Sometimes the infection spreads from the affected tooth to other areas of your mouth.
Rarely you may develop a life-threatening complication Ludwig’s angina, where the infection spreads to your head and neck, or sepsis, where the infection spreads to the bloodstream.
You may wonder does pericoronitis go away on its own if you are affected by this condition. However, the better option is to visit the dentist in Palm Beach, FL, where the professional considers various factors before deciding how to treat your condition. The treatment options for pericoronitis are:
The dentist may help you manage the symptoms without removing the flap or the tooth if it is expected to erupt correctly. In such cases, the dentist recommends over-the-counter painkillers for relief. The dentist also cleans the gum tissue around the tooth to prevent plaque buildup and food particles from trapping. Local anesthesia helps to relieve pain during this process. If you experience swelling or infection was prescribed antibiotics to manage your recovery.
Dr. Mitchell A Josephs may decide the tooth or flap removal is essential. The flap tends to regrow in some cases, making it necessary for a second surgery. The tooth removal usually resolves the problem, but some instances exist when it is beneficial to retain the tooth if possible.
Pericoronitis rarely returns after tooth removal. In some cases where gum flap tissue removal is necessary, the tissue can grow back. You usually require about two weeks to recover from the treatment after removal. If you are dealing with symptoms specific treatment for acute pericoronitis, you can recover within a couple of days.
Regular dental visits and pre-emptive care and reduce your chances of this condition. Your dentist can monitor the third molars as they erupt to recommend tooth extraction early if required. Dentists also perform regular cleanings to prevent inflammation.
The optimal method of dealing with pericoronitis condition is to have it treated by a dentist without believing it will disappear by itself. The time required for recovery after treatment for pericoronitis is approximately two weeks or two days, depending on the kind of treatment you receive.