Dental Cavitation Treatment San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County

What is Cavitation?

Dental cavitation is a hole within the jaw bone, often caused by blockage of blood flow. In the medical community the medical term used for dental cavitation is NICO (Neuralgia-Inducing Cavitational Osteonecrosis).Cavitations are not the same as cavities. While both are holes, they are within different areas of your mouth which means detection, symptoms, and treatment will differ greatly from one another.

Dental cavitations are lesions that occur at the site of tooth extraction. They are also known as ischemic bone disease or neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis. In most instances, they are a result of blood flow blockage, which interrupts normal healing. While these holes harbor necrotic bone, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even mercury, they may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, a few cases have been associated with digestive problems and chronic fatigue.

The term cavitation was first used in 1930 by an orthopedic researcher. Early dental medicine texts recommended doing away with the necrotic bone completely. However, this approach was left behind a long time ago. Jawbone necrosis and cavitation were fully described by Dr. G.V. Black, who is now known as the father of modern dentistry. He recommended surgically scraping cysts, toxins, unhealthy bone tissue, and abscesses out of the cavitation. This is still one of the most popularly used treatment methods.

Even though the most common cavitations occur in the jawbone, these bone lesions can occur anywhere in the body. Some of the things that lead to the formation of cavitations include clotting disorders, localized trauma, steroid use, and an inability to health properly.

Symptoms of Cavitations

Here are some of the most common symptoms of cavitations:

1. Phantom toothache
2. Facial pain
3. Migraines
4. Deep bone pressure or pain
5. A bitter taste
6. Halitosis/bad breath
7. Congestion

You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.

What Causes Cavitation?

he most common cause of cavitations is the blockage of blood flow to bone cells. This may be caused by a variety of factors, including an improper tooth extraction procedure. In some instances, dentists may fail to remove the periodontal ligament post-extraction. According to the American College of Rheumatology, this is the most common cause.

Other factors that may cause an interruption in blood flow to bone cells include dry sockets, tooth abscesses that penetrate bone tissue, untreated root canal infections, and overheating of bone during dental procedures. It’s also possible that blood flow to bone tissues can be cut off as a result of increased jawbone trauma, bone pressure, and the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

Apart from blood flow, risk factors have been identified that increase the likelihood of cavitations. This includes the long-term use of alcohol, chain smoking, periodontal disease, osteoporosis, HIV infection, and genetic mutations.

Some people have genetic defects that lead to the production of lower-than-normal amounts of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator. Therefore, when it’s present in inadequate amounts, blood vessels may be constricted, which reduces blood flow to the bone and leads to cavitations.

Cavitation and Overall Health

Because cavitations sometimes don’t present any symptoms, it may seem like they don’t have much of an impact on overall health. However, the opposite is true. These lesions can harbor lots of toxins, viruses, and bacteria, which cause infections and affect immune function. They may also cause autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. The most common autoimmune conditions associated with cavitations include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Osteonecrosis that accompanies cavitation is associated with several other conditions, which may be symptoms or risk factors:

1. Sickle cell syndrome
2. Heart disease
3. Pancreatitis
4. Lyme disease
5. Gaucher’s disease

If cavitations go undetected, their diagnosis is likely to be more complicated. This is because they may result in poor overall health and systemic inflammation that seem unrelated to oral health.

How are Cavitations Diagnosed?

In most instances, the diagnosis of cavitations is not straightforward. This is because they tend not to display any symptoms like pain or swelling. As such, most people will go for a long time without knowing that something is wrong. This is further worsened by the fact that cavitation awareness is quite low. Most people don’t even know they exist.

One of the most commonly used methods for the diagnosis of cavitations is an X-ray. Doctors may also use MRIs and CT scans. However, these methods may not be as effective. The most effective methods used for the diagnosis of cavitations include biopsy, bone scintigraphy, ultrasound, Cone beam 3D CT scans, and panoramic radiographs. Doctors use panoramic radiographs to check the jawbone for signs of necrosis. Treatment Options

The primary method used to treat cavitations involves debridement and removal of all toxic substances, cysts, harmful bacteria, and abscesses. Dental surgeons may also use laser therapy. This is a non-invasive and highly precise approach that’s less painful than conventional techniques. The majority of dentists prefer laser therapy.

Another potential treatment for cavitations is ozone therapy. This involves the use of ozone and oxygen to fight harmful bacteria and clear out toxic substances. Again, this method is non-invasive, and it’s extremely effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains.

In instances where non-invasive methods do not deliver the desired results, surgery can be employed. Oral surgeons can make some incisions to do away with infected tissue. This is followed by disinfection. Many experts recommend the use of surgery as a first-line response to cavitation.

How to Prevent Cavitations

Most people only learn about dental cavitations when they receive a diagnosis. Unlike periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other common conditions, cavitation awareness is quite low. As such, it’s crucial to raise awareness and ensure that more people know about cavitations and how they can have a significant negative impact on overall health.

The prevention of cavitations starts with proper oral hygiene. This includes brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day. It’s also crucial to ensure that you go for regular dental visits.

If you are looking to have some dental work done that may involve the use of an anesthetic, you should talk to your dentist about the use of epinephrine. It is a popular local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor used during procedures like tooth extraction. If possible, find out if they can use another anesthetic. Schedule an Appointment Today if You Suspect Cavitations.

If you suspect that you may have cavitations, it’s crucial to receive the necessary medical attention as soon as possible. You should schedule an appointment today to find out if the symptoms you are experiencing may not be due to cavitations. You can also get in touch if you believe your cavitation treatment wasn’t handled properly.