Teeth

Pericoronitis

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Pericoronitis

  • Definition
  1. Acute, localized infection around crown of partially erupted tooth
  2. Wisdom teeth (third molars) most often affected
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Plaque and debris accumulate under gum line
  • Symptoms
  1. Foul taste and halitosis
  2. Localized pain, worse with chewing or Swallowing
  • Signs
  1. Edema around flap overlying erupted tooth
  2. Regional Lymphadenopathy of the Head and Neck
  3. Trismus may occur
  • Management
  1. Localized cases
    1. Mouthwash with warm salty water
    2. Irrigate under flap of mucosa
    3. Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Rinse (Peridex)
    4. Hexetidine 0.1% Rinse (Oraldene)
  2. Refractory or severe cases
    1. Dental referral as soon as possible
    2. Oral Penicillin
    3. Adequate Analgesics (e.g. NSAIDs or mild Opioid)
  • References
  1. Douglass (2003) Am Fam Physician 67(3):511-16 [PubMed]
  2. Nguyen (2008) Am Fam Physician 77:797-806 [PubMed]