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