As the risks associated with cavitations become more apparent, it’s essential that patients better understand the condition and what it could mean for the long-term health of their teeth and gums. Let’s look at a few of the most critical questions and the answers patients should know about cavitations.
Dental cavitation refers to a hole that develops in the jawbone
While similar sounding to a dental cavity caused by tooth decay, cavitations are not the same as cavities. They present a significant risk to a patient’s long-term oral health and are difficult to detect. Cavitations may not appear on x-rays and may not cause patients any discomfort. However, untreated cavitation can lead to toxin exposure, inflammation, infection, and disease.
Dental cavitations are lesions that develop within the jawbone, often due to the blockage of blood flow. These blockages may be the result of:
- Improper wisdom tooth removal
- Dental abscess
- Dry socket
- Injury or trauma to the jawbone
· Untreated infection
The term “cavitation” was first coined by orthopedic researchers back in 1930, the father of modern dentistry, Dr. G.V. Black, wrote about the condition during the 1910s. While oral health experts have long understood the existence of cavitations, their effect on the body is only now being better understood.
Research has found that up to 94 percent of dental cavitations are located at the site of wisdom tooth extractions?
The symptoms of dental cavitation can include:
- Facial pain
- Toothache
- Headache or migraine
- Intense, electric shock-like pain around the ear, cheek, and lower jaw
However, cavitation does not always cause noticeable symptoms.
While jawbone cavitations may not cause pain or swelling, they usually result in other systemic health problems that impact the body.
Growing research suggests that patients with cavitations often test positive for multiple toxic substances at the site of the condition. These holes in the jawbone serve as the perfect breeding ground for toxins that contribute to the development of systemic health issues and inflammation throughout the body.
Dr. McGinty has several available options that enable her to diagnose the presence of cavitations that include:
- Biopsy
- 3D CT scan
- Panoramic x-rays
- Ultrasound
· Applied kinesiology