An operculum is the name of a piece of gum tissue that lies overtop the biting surface of a tooth. 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. The trickiest to deal with is an operculum occurring on a 3rd molar since they are difficult to reach. 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. It is essential to keep the area as clean as possible if you notice an operculum forming and to see your dentist.
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Unlike gum disease, which affects most areas of the mouth, pericoronitis causes gum inflammation in the area that surrounds the top of the tooth. It usually affects the third molars which are the teeth in the most rearward of the mouth or closest to the throat. In some cases, pericoronitis can occur chronically or acutely. Mild inflammation in the affected area is referred to as chronic. When symptoms progress to swelling, pain and fever, this is referred to as acute pericoronitis. At this stage, it usually signifies an infection that is starting to spread.