Additional Treatment with Terracortril® with Polymyxin B when Treating Pericoronitis in General Dental Care

Abstract: Background: Pericoronitis is an oral condition characterized by inflammation caused by infection in the gingiva surrounding a partially erupted tooth. Terracortril® with Polymyxin B is an ointment with hydrocortisone, oxytetracycline and Polymyxin B that has been observed to occur in treatment of pericoronitis in general dental care, despite recommendations against local antibiotic treatment in dental care. Aim: The aim was to explore to what extent Terracortril® with Polymyxin B is used in the treatment of pericoronitis in general dental care, and to ascertain if the general dentist’s professional experience and degree of difficulty of the pericoronitis affects the choice of treatment. Methods: A survey was sent to general dentists in the Region Västerbotten, consisting of three patient cases with different severity of pericoronitis asking for acute stage treatment. Background questions about Terracortril® with Polymyxin B were included and working years were inquired for.   Results: 81.4% used Terracortril® with Polymyxin B. Usage was associated with professional experience, where dentists with 0-1 and ≥16 working years used Terracortril® with Polymyxin B more frequently than dentists with 2-5 and 6-15 working years.  The severity of symptoms of pericoronitis was decisive for if the dentist used Terracortril® with Polymyxin B, where usage increased with the severity of pericoronitis. Conclusion: Terracortril® with Polymyxin B is frequently used in treatment of pericoronitis. Both the professional experience and the degree of difficulty of the pericoronitis affect the usage. Terracortril® with Polymyxin B should presumably not be used in the treatment of pericoronitis until supporting evidence is available.