Pericoronitis of Wisdom Teeth and the Difference from Pulpitis

The differences between pericoronitis of wisdom teeth and pulpitis are mainly reflected in the following aspects: 1. **Site of onset**: Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth primarily occurs in the gingival tissue surrounding the third molars, caused by incomplete eruption or impaction of the wisdom teeth, leading to inflammation of the soft tissues. In contrast, pulpitis occurs within the pulp chamber inside the tooth and is an inflammation of the dental pulp tissue caused by various factors. 2. **Symptoms**: Patients with pericoronitis often experience swelling and pain in the soft tissues around the wisdom teeth. Severe cases may be accompanied by limited mouth opening and systemic symptoms such as fever. Pulpitis, on the other hand, mainly presents with spontaneous, paroxysmal tooth pain that is difficult to localize, worsens at night, and is sensitive to cold and hot stimuli. 3. **Treatment methods**: Treatment for pericoronitis includes local irrigation, medication, and surgical intervention when necessary, such as operculectomy or extraction of the wisdom tooth. The primary treatment for pulpitis is root canal therapy, which involves removing the infected pulp tissue to eliminate inflammation and preserve the affected tooth.