Risk indicators of operculitis.

Background: The aim of this study was to illustrate the features of tooth number 38 and 48 having acute operculitis employing clinical parameters and radiological distinctiveness.

Methods: Fifty subjects of both genders in the age range of 19-36 years with a diagnosis of acute operculitis comprised the group for study. After thorough clinical examination, uniform orthopantomograms (Rotograph 230 eur, Villa Sistemi Medicali, Buccinasco, Milan, Italy) for each of the individual subject participating in the study was made. Four parameters were evaluated as plausible prognostic factors for the progression of acute operculitis. The χ test was used to foretell the role of individual factors studied in the progression of acute operculitis. Significance was set at P less than 0.05. For all statistical analysis, the SPSS (version 16; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software was used.

Results: Based on the assessment of the parameters investigated in this study, most likely to be among the essential determinants of acute pericoronitis are vertical angulations, part (50%) encapsulation, eruption point underneath the occlusal plane and existence of an encroaching opposing 28 and 18.

Conclusions: Prophylactic extractions may thus be recommended in such cases, as a delay may result in grave complications. All patients with impacted wisdom teeth should be evaluated and the treatment planned must be based on their individual presentation.