Operculectomy - Relief from wisdom tooth trouble

Have you noticed pain related to your wisdom tooth when it is erupting in the oral cavity? It could be a sign of Pericoronitis (inflammation of the gum overlying the erupting tooth). It is associated with pain and swelling of the operculum (the gum or the flap that covers partially erupted tooth). It typically affects young adults in whom wisdom teeth erupt.

It is caused due to food debris getting trapped beneath the operculum and trauma due to the opposing tooth eventually leading to infection. It could be associated with sharp radiating pain, swelling, pus discharge, difficulty in opening the mouth, difficulty in swallowing, fever, enlarged lymph nodes and subsequent spread of infection to the adjacent regions.

So, what is the treatment?

In case of a healthy tooth which is partially erupted, your dentist will perform thorough dental scaling and advise conservative treatment which would involve maintenance of proper oral hygiene and use of warm saline gargles or mouthrinse. Your dentist will schedule recall visits. If the operculum does not resolve or in case of recurrent episodes, operculectomy can be performed. It involves surgical excision of the operculum or the flap of gum that overlies the partially erupting tooth.

In case of decayed or completely impacted (blocked from eruption) tooth any of the following can be performed

1. Restorations;

2. Root canal treatment; or

3. Extraction.

Contact us to know more. We would be happy to help.


Dr. Shraddha Karkhanis

1 Smile One Care

BDS, MDS

Periodontist & Oral Implantologist

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