Pericoronitis - Prognosis

Prognosis

The prognosis largely depends upon whether the condition is treated, and if the causative tooth erupts into a functional position. A transient and mild pericoronal inflammation often occurs in the soft tissues around teeth as they finish erupting fully. If the tooth reaches a position where there is no overlying gum flap, and where the space between it and the tooth infront is accessible to oral hygiene methods, then pericoronitis will likely never return. Similarly, pericoronoitis will not return if the involved tooth is removed, although it my occur at a different site in the mouth, e.g. the wisdom tooth on the other side. This new occurrence is independent of the earlier condition and how it is managed. However, chronic pericoronitis with occasional acute exacerbations can often be expected in teeth which are in an impacted, partially erupted position and will not erupt any further. Dental infections such as pericoronitis can develop into septicemia and be life threatening in persons who have neutropenia. Even in people with normal immune function, pericoronitis may sometimes cause a spreading infection into the potential spaces of the head and neck, and potentially threaten the airway and require hospital treatment, although the majority of cases of pericoronitis are localized to the tooth.