Oral Microbiota Shift During Pericoronitis

The microbial flora of the distally located pocket is considered as the major cause of pericoronitis. However, the microflora changes during pericoronitis and whether different types of impacted third molar harbor the same microflora are still unknown. In this study, saliva, subgingival plaque and gingival plaque of mandibular third molars as well as control gingival plaque were collected from 12 adult patients with acute pericoronitis. The patients were given local treatment (local irrigation) or combined treatment (local irrigation and antibiotic treatment) following treatment principles. Samples were harvested at the first visit with pericoronitis, 1 week after treatment, and 6 weeks after treatment.