Pericoronitis
Pronunciation: per-ee-kor-oh-NY-tis
Inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the crown of a partially erupted tooth, most commonly associated with mandibular third molars.
Full Definition
Pericoronitis occurs when the operculum—the flap of gingival tissue overlying an incompletely erupted tooth—becomes infected or traumatised, leading to localised inflammation, pain, and sometimes systemic involvement. It is one of the most common indications for emergency dental consultations and for third molar extraction referrals. Editors must distinguish 'pericoronitis' from 'pericoronal' (used as an adjective to describe the region around the crown) and must not confuse it with 'periapical' pathology, which relates to the root apex rather than the crown. The term is typically found in emergency dental records, oral surgery referral letters, and antibiotic prescribing documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Do not hyphenate. Distinguish from the adjective 'pericoronal' (e.g. 'pericoronal follicle'). When describing the flap of tissue, use 'operculum' rather than repeating 'pericoronitis'.
In Context
- "The patient was prescribed a course of metronidazole for acute pericoronitis associated with the partially erupted lower-left wisdom tooth." — Emergency dental appointment record
- "Recurrent pericoronitis was cited as the primary clinical indication for surgical extraction of the mandibular third molar." — Oral surgery referral letter