Dental Operculum Treatment

Operculectomy effectively addresses gingival inflammation and minimizes damage to the tooth roots and pulp. It thoroughly resolves prolonged pain in the oral cavity. Explore this service now; it may be beneficial to you.

What is an Operculum?

An operculum is a condition where the gum grows over and covers a portion or the entire surface of a tooth, hindering the eruption process. Opercula commonly occur during wisdom tooth eruption, causing inflammation that is difficult to clean, leading to pain and extreme discomfort.

If the condition worsens, the wisdom tooth may erupt and pierce the gum, leading to severe inflammation, causing intense pain and affecting eating.

The Danger Level of Wisdom Tooth Opercula

Opercula often cause pain and discomfort but are generally not life-threatening.

However, timely treatment is necessary to prevent inflammation and prevent bacteria in the gum area from developing and penetrating deep into the tooth, even causing prolonged fever and swollen lymph nodes.

What is an Operculectomy?

Operculectomy is a procedure where the dentist uses instruments to cut away the gum covering the wisdom tooth, performing aesthetic sutures for rapid healing and to help the wisdom tooth erupt in the correct position. The technique is performed accurately, causing no danger, invasion, or impact on surrounding tissues.

However, operculectomy is not always possible, especially if the wisdom tooth is close to the lower jawbone.

Advantages of the Operculectomy Method

If you are experiencing problems with impacted wisdom teeth, thick opercula causing pain and affecting the aesthetics of your smile, operculectomy is an excellent solution for you. It not only improves oral health but also makes you much more comfortable, with many other benefits such as:

• Complete removal of thick opercula: Operculectomy helps remove excessively thick gums that cover and hinder the eruption of wisdom teeth. It thoroughly resolves problems related to wisdom teeth that cannot erupt properly.
• Reduced inflammation and pain: It stops the pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth. It creates a more comfortable and pleasant feeling while contributing to overall oral health protection.
• Supports wisdom teeth to erupt in the right direction and position: It facilitates wisdom teeth to erupt in the correct direction and position. It avoids misaligned or impacted teeth that affect adjacent teeth and jaw structure.
• Increased aesthetics of the oral cavity: It effectively improves eating function and oral hygiene, helping you feel more confident in communication and daily life.
• Safe and quick procedure: The process is performed by a team of specialized doctors, causing no pain or prolonged swelling and is
• Quick recovery time: After operculectomy, the recovery time is relatively fast. You only need to rest gently for a few days to return to normal activities, without affecting work and life.

Operculectomy Procedure

A standard operculectomy procedure typically requires compliance with at least 5 main steps. The doctor will perform these steps sequentially and properly to deliver optimal results and absolutely improve your current pain.

• Step 1: The dentist examines the oral cavity and identifies the location of the operculum covering the wisdom tooth. Then, an X-ray is taken to accurately determine the eruption direction of the wisdom tooth and the surrounding tissues. From there, a suitable remedy is provided.
• Step 2: Oral hygiene is performed with physiological saline, removing all impurities and bacteria in the oral cavity to ensure that the cutting process does not cause infection.
• Step 3: Disinfect and anesthetize the wisdom tooth area that needs operculectomy so that the customer does not feel pain or discomfort during the doctor’s performance.
• Step 4: Use specialized instruments to cut off the gum covering the wisdom tooth, then use medical sutures to close the wound, limiting bleeding and infection. In the case of an impacted wisdom tooth that is misaligned, the dentist will extract the wisdom tooth and suture the gum.
• Step 5: Prescribe painkillers and advise on oral care and dietary restrictions after performing the operculectomy. Also, schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor the recovery process.

Dental Services Price List at Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital

Instructions for oral care after operculectomy

After an operculectomy, oral care should always be a priority. Therefore, you need to pay close attention to how to care for your teeth to accelerate recovery in a short time without causing unfortunate complications.

• You should apply a cold compress to the area where the operculum was removed.
• Do not spit, brush your teeth, or rinse your mouth for 24 hours after the operculectomy.
• Take painkillers and antibiotics as prescribed by your dentist. Absolutely do not take them at the wrong time, increase the dosage, or use other medications without permission.
• Only eat liquid, soft, and easy-to-swallow foods such as porridge, soup, fruit juice, milk, cooked vegetables, etc.
• If you notice any signs such as swollen gums, bleeding, or prolonged fever, you need to see a doctor for specific advice.
• What to avoid and what to eat after an operculectomy?
• For the wound to heal quickly, you need to have a reasonable diet. Please refer to the table below for what to eat and what not to eat.

What to avoid and what to eat after an operculectomy?

For the wound to heal quickly, you need a reasonable diet. Please refer to the table below for what to eat and what not to eat.

Should eat

• Fiber-rich foods such as green vegetables, beans, fruits, etc.
• Drink green tea to help fight inflammation and kill bacteria in the oral cavity.
• Eat soft foods to avoid affecting the wound.

Should not eat

• Foods high in starch, acid, and sugar such as pastries, candy, chocolate, soft drinks, soda, etc.
• Avoid foods that dry out the mouth: Beer, alcohol, coffee, tobacco, etc.
• Avoid eating hard, spicy, hot, or too cold foods: Crunchy fruits, ice, tough meat, etc.

Some other questions about operculectomy

Why is there an operculum over a wisdom tooth?

When other teeth have stabilized their positions, wisdom teeth erupt in the very back of the jaw, so wisdom teeth often erupt crooked, impacted, or crowded, causing the gum in that area to swell and become inflamed. This gum can partially or completely cover the tooth.

Should operculectomy be performed?

An operculum usually appears when wisdom teeth erupt, meaning the gum covers the last tooth to erupt in the arch. This prevents the wisdom tooth from erupting straight up. At this point, operculectomy must be performed if you do not want the following complications to occur:

• The wisdom tooth cannot fully erupt, piercing the gum or adjacent teeth, causing prolonged pain.
• The covering gum swells, causing discomfort in daily communication and eating.
• A small gap forms between the operculum and the gum underneath, allowing food debris to remain and adhere, which over time will calcify and accumulate bacteria, leading to dangerous oral diseases such as gingivitis, tooth decay, etc.
• In cases where an operculum over a wisdom tooth has pus accumulated for a long time, it will secrete fluids that erode tooth enamel, weaken teeth and gums, causing the wisdom tooth under the gum to become loose, leading to severe pain.

When should a wisdom tooth operculectomy be performed?

Depending on the specific condition of each person, wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth have a very unfavorable eruption position, close to the jawbone and behind the second molar, so they are very prone to impaction or misalignment.

You should have a dental check-up every 6 months to protect your oral health and check if an operculectomy is needed. If necessary, have it done immediately to avoid dangerous complications.

Does wisdom tooth operculectomy hurt?

In reality, before an operculectomy, the dentist will perform a local anesthetic, so you will not feel any discomfort or pain throughout the procedure. However, after the operculectomy and when the anesthetic wears off, you will feel a slight soreness in the newly cut gum area and around it.

In cases where your body is sensitive, overly reactive, and cannot tolerate post-operative soreness, your dentist may prescribe some painkillers and antibiotics to quickly alleviate the discomfort.

Is wisdom tooth operculectomy dangerous?

If performed with proper technique and followed by correct care and hygiene, operculectomy will not cause any danger or complications. You can be completely assured when undergoing the procedure, but remember to have it done at reputable dental facilities to be at ease about this issue.

How long does it take to recover from a wisdom tooth operculectomy?

Typically, within about 7-14 days, you will find the wound has healed, the pain has subsided, and you can chew a little on the side of the jaw where the operculum was removed.

Why you should get an operculectomy at Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital

Are you looking for an effective solution to remove thick operculum and protect your oral health? Trust Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital for peace of mind because:

• The hospital performs operculectomy according to the standard procedures of the Ministry of Health, ensuring safety and effectiveness. All procedures take place in an absolutely sterile and aseptic environment.
• We apply advanced, modern technology and equipment exclusively transferred from Korea, such as AI computed X-ray technology. This allows doctors to accurately determine the customer’s jaw and facial structure.
• The doctors are skilled in the techniques and procedures of operculectomy and oral surgery. They perform the procedures gently, safely, without causing swelling or pain, and without affecting oral function.
• The modern space and environment are fully equipped, providing customers with a satisfying experience. Along with attentive, professional, and dedicated customer service, always striving to support customers.

Hopefully, the content of the above article will help you understand more about what an operculectomy is. This will allow you to confidently undergo the service to soon have healthy teeth without pain or discomfort. Don’t hesitate to connect with Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital for CONSULTATION if you have any other questions!