“Two cavities, one tooth, big decay?”
I have a molar (47) which has a cavity on the biting surface that I'm having filled soon.
Today while cleaning I noticed that on the buccal side of the same tooth (in that pesky groove) there is a minuscule hole that visually enters the tooth with a tiny dot of black at the end.
Images attached.
So, A) another cavity, which I wrote to my dentist studio about, but B) does this mean there's basically no healthy tooth under there?
That is, I read that if you have a buccal cavity, others appear on different surfaces of the tooth when it gets really large. Or can two cavities appear on different surfaces of a tooth and develop at different speeds?
If it helps, I still have no sensitivity to hot or cold, nor pressure pain or spontaneous pain. Though I also worry that my nerves are just dead and when the dentist starts drilling the whole thing will just collapse.
Can you tell I'm a worrier?
Today while cleaning I noticed that on the buccal side of the same tooth (in that pesky groove) there is a minuscule hole that visually enters the tooth with a tiny dot of black at the end.
Images attached.
So, A) another cavity, which I wrote to my dentist studio about, but B) does this mean there's basically no healthy tooth under there?
That is, I read that if you have a buccal cavity, others appear on different surfaces of the tooth when it gets really large. Or can two cavities appear on different surfaces of a tooth and develop at different speeds?
If it helps, I still have no sensitivity to hot or cold, nor pressure pain or spontaneous pain. Though I also worry that my nerves are just dead and when the dentist starts drilling the whole thing will just collapse.
Can you tell I'm a worrier?
Male | 27 years old
Complaint duration: 1 month
Medications: N/A
Conditions: N/A
6 Answers
Two cavities can appear on different surfaces of the tooth and at different rates. You should have your dentist evaluate and treat the cavities immediately before they get worse.
Every Back tooth has 6 surfaces so on your case it looks like 2 of those surfaces have cavities . Which is not uncommon and since you are proactive and getting them taken care of it should be fine . It does not look like they have gone too far into the tooth but x rays Would tell better . So don’t worry and get them taken care of . From the pictures it looks like you should be ok .
Hope this helps.
With gratitude
Sheena Bhatia, DDS
Hope this helps.
With gratitude
Sheena Bhatia, DDS
From the photos, it looks to me you have 2 small separate cavities which happens often Without seeing an X-ray, I cannot tell you how deep the cavities are.
They seem to be shallow decay and not very close to the nerve. A composite fill will do the job. Nothing much to worry about.
With regards, Thanks
Dr. Narkhede
Pankaj Narkhede, DDS; MDS; F-ISMU (hon); FAAID (hon)
Cosmetic Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Implant & Reconstructive Surgery
24602 Raymond Way, Suite L
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-770-0966 www.dentistlakeforestca.com
With regards, Thanks
Dr. Narkhede
Pankaj Narkhede, DDS; MDS; F-ISMU (hon); FAAID (hon)
Cosmetic Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Implant & Reconstructive Surgery
24602 Raymond Way, Suite L
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-770-0966 www.dentistlakeforestca.com
Dear WorrierJust because a tooth has a dark stain doesn’t mean it is decayed. Your teeth will not collapse and even if the dark stain is decay, your dentist will clean it up and fill it. In most cases, there is healthy tooth structure underneath.
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That’s a naturally occurring baccalaureate pit on the side. Sometimes we place a sealant to prevent it from getting decay. Sometimes it’s just stained and does not require a filling but if it sticks then it best to place a small separate filling on the side.
