Normally pericoronitis occurs in the tissues around the crown of a partially erupted mandibular third molar tooth (lower wisdom tooth).

Odontogenic infections may spread to involve the pterygomandibular space, and the most common teeth responsible for this are the mandibular second and third molar teeth.

When used unqualified, the term usually refers to an acute inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the crown of an impacted or partially erupted third molar tooth.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, impacted third molar teeth, and lesions of the floor of mouth or ventral surface of the tongue (underside of the tongue) are other possible causes of dental conditions which can cause ear pain.

It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Jamaican fruit bat, but can be distinguished by its larger size, the presence of faint stripes on the face, and of a third molar tooth on each side of the upper jaw.

It is a branch of the mandibular nerve (which is itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve) and transmits sensory information from skin over the buccal membrane (in general, the cheek) and from the second and third molar teeth.