Overview
Pericoronitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the crown of a partially erupted or impacted tooth, most commonly the mandibular third molar (wisdom tooth).
The condition arises because the operculum — the flap of gingival tissue overlying the partially erupted crown — creates a protected space that accumulates food debris and bacteria, making it impossible to clean effectively.
Pericoronitis ranges from mild local inflammation to a severe, potentially life-threatening infection requiring hospitalization if it spreads to adjacent fascial spaces.