Infections around Crowns

We would love it everybody’s teeth came in straight, but unfortunately, they sometimes get trapped and don’t erupt fully. Teeth that get stuck are said to be “impacted,” and they can cause a lot of oral health issues. At the Rancho Cucamonga dental office of Dr. Jia Y. Lee, we monitor our teenaged patients’ dental progression to determine whether they’ll need orthodontic care, and if a tooth does get stuck, we can assist them with preventing pericoronitis—infections around a dental crown.

The wisdom teeth are the largest and furthest back of the molars, and the lower ones are the teeth that are likeliest to become impacted. They often do not erupt until the late teen years, when the rest of the teeth are in place and the jaws are too solidified for major orthodontic therapy. When a tooth gets stuck erupting half-way, it may still be partially covered by a flap of gum tissue called an operculum. Bacterial build up may occur between the operculum and the tooth, causing a painful, swollen infection.

An operculum is a major challenge to oral hygiene. Patients may attempt to use anti-bacterial washes and salt water rinses to combat infection, but professional attention may be necessary to clean it thoroughly. If the tooth is no longer able to progress, we may be able to remove it or the operculum by doing a simple procedure.

Dr. Jia Y. Lee operates at 9477 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 91730. To schedule an appointment, call 909-989-5598 or visit MyRanchoCucamongaDentist.com.