Pericoronitis
- Painful infection developing around impacted/partially erupted teeth.
- Pain management essential.
- Consider removal of the offending tooth.
No systemic symptoms
- Local measures such as irrigation, debridement, and drainage
- Maintain hygiene until tooth is fully erupted. Otherwise, consider removal of the tooth if impacted, such as an impacted 3rd molar.
| Empiric Therapy | |
|---|---|
| Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% mouthwash | Rinse with 15mL PO for 30 seconds bid (after toothbrushing) x 2 weeks then re-evaluate. |
| Antibiotics not recommended |
Systemic symptoms
e.g. facial or neck swelling, cervical lymphadenitis, fever, malaise
| Empiric Therapy | |
|---|---|
| [Penicillin VK | 300-600mg PO qid x 7 days |
| + | |
| Metronidazole] | 500mg PO bid x 7 days |
| or | |
| Amoxicillin-clavulanate | 875mg PO bid x 7 days |
Penicillin/amoxicillin allergy
| Empiric Therapy | |
|---|---|
| Cefuroxime axetil | 500mg PO bid x 7 days |
| + | |
| Metronidazole | 500mg PO bid x 7 days |
Cefuroxime allergy
| Empiric Therapy | Dose/Duration |
|---|---|
| Clindamycin | 150-300mg PO qid x 7 days |