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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Flap Of Skin Over Wisdom Tooth Causing Difficulty In Chewing Food. Measures To Fix This?

I ve got a wisdom tooth growing, it has erupted and i can see it but there s a flap of skin over it so it s difficult for me to bite or eat anything. would i need to wait for the tooth to come out properly (since it s already erupted and i can see the whole tooth clearly) or do i need to see the dentist? and what can i do to treat the tissue that s been formed over the tooth? thank you
Tue, 12 Mar 2013
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Dentist 's  Response
hai

THis is a common problem most of them go through at the age of 22-30.as u are seeing eruption of tooth ,i dnt recommend in extracting tooth.But there is a procedure called operculectomy ie removing the portion of the flap which is covering the tooth .It is a minor procedure which helps you to relive from this issue
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Dentist Dr. Farah Hussain's  Response
hi and welcome ,
As you have mentioned the gum flap overlying your wisdom tooth is called pericoronal flap , this gum tissue is loose and forms a pocket like area around the wisdom tooth .
This gum pocket incorporates food debris and plaque as the area is difficult to clean and this may lead to infection and abscess formation known as pericoronitis.
i would suggest you to visit a dentist and get the gum flap excised surgically to prevent infection and discomfort this procedure is called operculectomy.
It exposes the wisdom tooth for eruption as well .
i hope this helps ,
take care.
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement Dr. Saurabh Gupta's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to the forum.
the type of history you are presenting here directly indicate to your wisdom tooth infection known as pericoronitis.
In this situation pain may refer to ear, neck & head.
immediately start up with warm saline rinses & betadine rinses, along with antibiotic course including amoxycilline 500mg TDS & ibuprofen 400 mg TDS.
Than visit to your dentist for check iopa x-ray and treatment of this tooth accordingly.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you.
Regards.
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General & Family Physician Dr. Ramesh M.Vachharajani's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to HCM,
Due to eruption of wisdom tooth between wisdom tooth overlying skin there is formation of pocket and while eating food particles trapped and many a time produces infection on that part.
So it is better to get wisdom tooth removed or get overlying skin removed.
Mean while go for one antibiotic medicine course for present infection and you will be alright.
Afterwards do regular gargling after taking taking by mouth.
Ok and bye.
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Dentist Dr. Anshumala Singh's  Response
dear friend.
thanks for sharing your concern.
you have pericoronitis in relation to your third molar,

this flap which is causing discomfort to you is actually a part of gingiva covering the tooth.

now when tooth has erupted, it acts like a pocket an accumulates food particles, derbies and bacteria causing infection .

it is better to get it removed surgically because frequent infections are caused in this leading to abscess and other space infections too.

due to its location accessibility with brush becomes difficult which further adds to infection .

i would suggest , get it excised surgically. it is very minor procedur.

if required an antibiotic and analgesic can be given.

hope this helps

thanx
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Dentist Dr. Neha Gupta's  Response
Hello,
I am Dr.Neha Gupta (dentist) and am glad to address to your query here.

Impacted tooth is generally caused by more tooth- less bone ratio, where the the third molar does not have space to be erupted in the occlusion.
The most common cause of pain from impacted tooth is the inflammation in the soft tissue covering over the offending tooth(Pericoronitis), mostly caused by food impaction in the soft tissue space over the tooth and/or bite injury over the soft tissue covering the impacted tooth, by upper molar tooth.
exicision of flap is the treatment of choice.

Take care and please keep me informed of your progress at healthcaremagic through my profile directly.
Regards
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Dentist Dr. Khushboo Bhatia's  Response
A flap of gum tissue is created in partially erupted wisdom tooth where food impaction can occur.Patient is instructed to do hourly rinses with solution of tea spoonful of salt in glass of warm water. Patient should take more of fluids and should maintain good oral hygiene to avoid any food accumulates in wisdom tooth area. Patient should brush and floss properly to avoid any food deposits. Food deposits will aggravate the pain. Pericoronitis infection can regress in duration of 5-7 days. If tooth doesn’t erupt completely, then food accumulates will keep depositing below the gums and can cause Pericoronitis to recur.
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Flap Of Skin Over Wisdom Tooth Causing Difficulty In Chewing Food. Measures To Fix This?

hai THis is a common problem most of them go through at the age of 22-30.as u are seeing eruption of tooth ,i dnt recommend in extracting tooth.But there is a procedure called operculectomy ie removing the portion of the flap which is covering the tooth .It is a minor procedure which helps you to relive from this issue