Pericoronaritis: Criterios actuales. Revisión bibliográfica

a bibliographical review on pericoronitis that includes the most updated criteria about the clinical, radiological and microbiological diagnosis of this pathology is made. pericoronitis has been identified as an acute infectious process that is related to the soft tissues that sorround the crown of an impacted tooth (third inferior molars that have a vertical position with inclination to distal and that are near or in the occlusion plane more frequently). it is the commonest of the mucous accidents. it generally appears in the second and third decades of life. the most accepted etiology at present is the invasion of microorganisms into the pericoronal sac sorrounding the crown of the impacted tooth, where there are ideal conditions for bacterial growth that may be favoured by the traumatic irritation of this tooth. pericoronitis may have different forms of presentation: acute congestive or serous pericoronitis, acute suppurative periconoritis and chronic pericoronitis; this affection may cause serious complications to the patient if it is not properly treated. the relapse may last till the crown of the impacted tooth is completely released. the prognosis, once the surgical or medicinal treatment is adopted, is favorable for the patient.