- Limitations of Dental X-Rays First, your cavity may be so small it did not show up on your dental x-rays.
- A very small cavity has not yet caused enough damage to be visible through x-ray technology.
- Secondly, your cavity could be hiding behind an existing filling.
Subsequently, Can dentist see cavity without X-ray? Your dentist may be able to see your cavity without an X-ray if the cavity is large or in an easily visible location on the front or side of your tooth. Some dentists use laser technology instead of X-rays to locate and identify cavities.
Will an xray show gum infection? Dental X-rays can show diseases of the mouth, including the teeth and gums, that would otherwise go undetected. These diseases include potentially serious conditions such as the following: An abscess, or infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth.
Yet, How long can a tooth infection go untreated? If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications. However, once this has happened, death can occur quickly. Factors like older age, having diabetes, or being immunocompromised can increase your risk of complications from a dental abscess.
Can a dentist see tooth decay? Sometimes your dentist is able to tell that you have a cavity just by looking at your mouth through an oral exam. They will look for things like discoloration, enamel destruction, or holes in the teeth.
How long can you leave a cavity untreated?
Every Cavity Is Different On average, as a broad timeline, it can take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity needs treatment.
How do I check myself for cavities?
Symptoms
- Toothache, spontaneous pain or pain that occurs without any apparent cause.
- Tooth sensitivity.
- Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold.
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth.
- Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth.
- Pain when you bite down.
What color are cavities?
Most people assume cavities are all colored black or very dark brown, so you might be surprised to learn that cavities actually come in a range of different colors and shades, from white to grey to black, and even yellow.
