HIDDEN TOOTH DECAY
Hidden caries presents a significantly larger problem than a visible carious cavity that has emerged. Often, the patient themselves notices or senses the cavity that has appeared using their tongue. Upon scheduling a visit to the dentist, such a cavity can be easily identified and filled.
Hidden caries, which the patient usually doesn’t feel or observe, is situated beneath the enamel.
During the examination, the dentist can observe a brown spot on the surface of the tooth, which is slightly soft to probing. This leaves no doubt about the existing damage. Quite frequently during the examination, a whiter area is visible on the inside of the tooth. This enables us to predict that there is a void or cavity within the tooth. If such internal hidden caries is left untreated, the cavity expands, and the tooth becomes weakened.
Due to these reasons, preventive check-ups at least once a year are highly important and beneficial. If, during the examination, the dentist suspects the presence of hidden internal caries, X-ray images are taken, precisely indicating the location and depth of the damage. By identifying issues while they are still small and before caries has spread, the patient can live pain-free. This not only saves your time but also costs much less, as there’s no need for nerve treatment.
