Side Effects of Wisdom Teeth - Pericoronitis

While some may find newly developing wisdom teeth a mere nuisance, few fully recognize the lasting impact third molars can have on the health of your entire smile. In particular, patients with partially impacted teeth are at risk of developing pericoronitis, an inflammation of the soft tissues around the tooth.

What is Pericoronitis?

When wisdom teeth develop, some third molars may be able to partially emerge through the gums. However, because the tooth does not fully push through the gums, partial emergence tends to create a gum flap over the tooth. Food and bacteria are often trapped beneath the gum flap, causing soft tissue inflammation as well as exposing the new tooth to plaque and tartar development and leading to the development of pericoronitis. 

Like any other oral infection, this soft tissue infection can seriously compromise a patient’s oral health, spreading to the blood stream and lymph nodes if left untreated. As a result, if you notice any of the following symptoms, be sure to call you general dentist for an appointment. 

• Pain
• Gum swelling, changes in color, tenderness
• Infection
• Persistent Bad Taste
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Treating Pericoronitis

Treatment for this condition depends on the extent of infection. In cases were the irritation is isolated to the area around the wisdom tooth and where the tooth is likely to fully emerge without damaging neighboring teeth, some dentist may recommend a more comprehensive hygiene plan until the molar has fully developed. In other cases, the arch may not have enough room to support a new molar, requiring wisdom tooth extraction. 

For patients experiencing severe pericoronitis, tooth extraction followed by a course of antibiotics may be the only way to restore oral health to the smile. In these instances, your general dentist may coordinate treatment with an experienced oral surgeon to ensure predictable extraction and lasting results. 

Wisdom Teeth Extraction and Treatment in Lorton

At the Northern Virginia oral surgery practice of Dr. Snehal Patel, our goal is to provide patients with lasting oral health. If you are experiencing pericoronitis symptoms like painful or swollen cheeks or gums, call Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery today to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon. We’ll discuss your treatment options and find the best way to help you regain a healthy smile. 

TRIOS Scanner

At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, our goal is to provide patients with long-lasting dental solutions. To do so, we frequently incorporate modern technologies into our treatment planning strategies, particularly for patients receiving advanced dental care such as dental implants. One such technology we regularly utilize is the TRIOS scanner, an innovative alternative to traditional impressions known for improving patient experience and treatment results.

TRIOS – Enhancing Patient Experiences

On its own, implant preparation and placement is a lengthy process. Even after the implant has been placed into the jaw, patients must return to have additional scans and impressions taken of their smile in order to create a restoration that fits in perfectly with the rest of the smile. Unfortunately, the process of taking traditional impressions can be less than comfortable. Many patients find the “dental goop” to be difficult to tolerate, leading to incorrect impressions that require patients return in order to achieve an accurate model of the arch. Inaccurate impressions can also lead to inaccurate restorations, compromising the final look of the implant crown or bridge.

TRIOS eliminates many of these difficulties. Using 3D scanning technology, TRIOS takes digital images of each tooth, arch, and occlusion, creating an accurate digital model of the entire dentition. Our oral surgeon can manipulate the digital model through the TRIOS software, creating a precise implant restoration that will fit in naturally with the rest of your smile.

As the scan only takes moments to create a comprehensive and accurate model, TRIOS limits how much time patients spend in the chair. The intraoral camera is small and unobtrusive, making it ideal for patients with small mouths as well as those who have a hard time tolerating traditional impression material. Ultimately, TRIOS allows patients to enjoy an enhanced experience and improved restoration results.

Learn More about TRIOS Today

Our mission is to provide patients with the best care possible at every phase of their oral surgery or dental implant treatment. With TRIOS scanning, our team is able to ensure lasting, natural looking results. Contact our offices in Springfield and Lorton today to schedule your consultation with our oral surgeon.