What does Operculectomy mean?
An Operculectomy is a minor surgical procedure where the affected soft tissue/ the flap of gum over the wisdom tooth, is cut away, preventing further build-up of debris and plaque, and subsequent inflammation.
What is a dental Operculum definition?
Definition & Overview The dental operculum is a mass of soft tissue found on a partially erupted tooth. It is most commonly associated with lower wisdom teeth though it can also be seen covering the permanent molars and some baby teeth. It is quite apparent when a tooth begins to erupt and peek through the gum tissue.
What causes Operculectomy?
This flap usually occurs on wisdom teeth, but it can happen around the base of any tooth that has not erupted completely. The flap of tissue may be hard to keep clean, and food debris and bacteria can become trapped in the area, causing inflammation.
What is Operculectomy wisdom tooth?
Operculectomy is the removal of the flap of gum overlying a tooth. Often, wisdom teeth are only partly erupted into the mouth. There is often a flap of gum (operculum) overlying the tooth. It is difficult to keep the area clean because of this flap.
What causes Operculum?
Generally speaking, an operculum occurs when teeth are erupting and, most of the time, will resolve on their own when the tooth erupts fully. The most common teeth to develop operculums are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd molars as they erupt.
What are the symptoms of pericoronitis?
What are the symptoms of Pericoronitis? Milder symptoms of pericoronitis include painful, swollen gum tissue near the affected tooth. You may find it hard to bite down in that area without hitting the swollen tissue. You may also notice an unpleasant smell or taste in your mouth, and a discharge of pus in the area.
What causes operculum dental?
Operculums form when the molars are breaking through the gum tissue, and the gum tissue doesn’t completely pull away from the biting surface of the tooth. They occur on the last molars in the mouth due to the curvature of the gums at the back of the mouth.
What causes operculum?
An operculum occurs when a tooth erupts, and some of the gum tissue remains on top of the tooth’s biting surface. This makes it challenging to keep the tooth clean, making it prone to inflammation and infection.
How do you treat gum flaps?
Oral hygiene/oral irrigators and rinses: If the pericoronitis is in a small area and hasn’t spread, treatment may be rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. Your dentist can flush out food debris or bacteria, or give you an oral rinse. You’ll need to make sure to keep the gum flap free of any food trapped.
Which is better extraction or Operculectomy?
Operculectomy vs Extraction? Operculectomy is a less invasive option that helps preserve the tooth. It’s possible that the operculum may grow back and the operculectomy may need to be repeated. If the infection comes back or the wisdom tooth is causing other problems, extraction may be the better option.
What does an Operculum look like?
It is fairly often circular, or more or less oval in shape. In species where the operculum fits snugly, its outline corresponds exactly to the shape of the aperture of the shell and it serves to seal the entrance of the shell.
Are Operculums normal?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5te460EBBI