“Pericoronitis,” a frequent dental problem, is brought on by food particles and germs building up behind the “Operculum,” a gum flap. Wisdom teeth that are partly erupted, barely halfway through the gum line into the mouth, and frequently impacted that is, lying on their side are typically linked to pericoronitis. In this article, we shall discuss pericoronitis and how it is treated by a dentist in Upland, CA.

It is exceedingly painful and frequently becomes infected since it is very difficult to dislodge trapped material from behind the gum flap by yourself. In more severe situations, this can cause discomfort when eating, drinking, talking, or even opening your mouth owing to swelling and infection which is also known as acute pericoronitis.

Why Does Pericoronitis Occur?

An impacted tooth mostly causes Pericoronitis. That is to say, your wisdom teeth may be impacted if it is still forming and has only partially erupted—and that too at an odd angle. Pericoronitis develops due to your gum tissues believing they must heal themselves around the protruding tooth. Furthermore, as the operculum begins to enlarge, it may trap germs and the tooth behind its folds, causing the gums to swell and become irritated. For this reason, you should take great care to ensure that the extraction of your wisdom teeth doesn’t interfere with the procedure.

How Long Does Pericoronitis Last?

Pericoronitis persists up until the start of therapy. It is a rare individual who recovers from an infection without the need for medical assistance. At-home therapies such as increasing oral hygiene practices and routinely washing with salt water can help prevent further infection and relieve symptoms if you are experiencing mild pain and discomfort. More operculum therapy can be required if the wisdom teeth do not fully erupt during this period or shortly thereafter.

Three stages in treating a dental operculum if you are exhibiting the initial signs of pericoronitis:

• Infection treatment and pain management
• Operaculum removal
• Wisdom extraction of teeth

Process of Operculectomy

An operculectomy is a small surgical operation in which the flap of gum covering the wisdom teeth is removed together with the afflicted soft tissue to stop further dirt and plaque from accumulating and causing discomfort. The process is relatively straightforward: after administering a local anesthetic to numb the region, the tissue is cut out with a surgical knife. Usually, stitches are not required. You should only have a little post-operative pain, and you may speed up recovery by rinsing with salt water and consuming soft foods for a few days.

Your dentist will examine the operculum and tell you if you need to undergo operculetomy or if it can resolve on its own. However, you should be aware of this condition and how to manage it. 

Paul Petersen