Is it possible my dentist missed a cavity?

Cavities are usually painful, and they can be easily spotted by a dentist. However, there are some “hidden cavities” that are harder to spot. These cavities, or hidden caries, are often missed in an exam because they are so deeply hidden within the pits and fissures of the teeth.

Can a dentist lie about cavities?

A cavity is a cavity and there should be no difference between two dentists, right? The answer is not always. Unfortunately, a cavity can be deceptive. It can hide and be obscured by old fillings, location, or just not be obvious by eye or X-ray.

Can cavities be misdiagnosed?

Some patients wonder whether it’s possible to misdiagnose a cavity. The answer is yes, there is always the potential to under or over diagnose a cavity. The chances of this happening are rare and depend on a number of factors.

Do dental xrays always show cavities?

Cavities between teeth are rarely seen without X-rays unless they are very large or when teeth break. The following pictures are the same teeth in the X-rays above: Once cavities are exposed, it is not surprising that they are always larger than they look in X-rays.

How do you tell if you have a hidden cavity?

If you see a dark spot on any of your teeth (brown or black) you could have a cavity. You should especially watch for spots that grow in size. In some cases, the spots may even be a light, off-white color. If you see any discoloration on your teeth, always get it looked at by your dentist.

Can Dentists miss cavities on xrays?

Another reason decay may not show up on your x-ray is that it could have started after your last set of x-rays. Your teeth are susceptible to decay all of the time, especially if you eat sugary or high acid foods. It is quite possible your decay did not develop until after your last dental exam and last set of x-rays.

How long can you leave a cavity untreated?

Like most ailments, the longer you leave a cavity without treatment, the worse it’s going to get. In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth. That’s not good.

Can a cavity develop in 6 months?

Every Cavity Is Different. The time it takes for a cavity to form varies. It can, on average, take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment.

How long can cavities go undetected?

Like most ailments, the longer you leave a cavity without treatment, the worse it’s going to get. In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth.

When is it too late to save a cavity?

Once bacteria have entered your tooth, it may be too late for a filling because we will need to prevent or treat an existing infection. However, it’s never too late for dental care!

How long can you ignore a cavity?

How to tell if you have a cavity in your tooth?

Signs you may have a dental cavity Sometimes, a very small cavity is impossible for you to detect by yourself. A dentist would need to probe your tooth or even take an X-ray of your teeth to find it. At some point, a cavity will begin to make itself known to you.

Can a Dentist say you don’t have a cavity?

And finally, infrequently a patient goes to their old dentist “that they had since they were 4 years old” or another dentist and he or she says that “that you do not have a cavity”. That dentist may be inaccurate. It’s sort of reinforcing to have them say you are “fine” if you “want” to be cavity-free.

What are dentists looking for when they peer at tooth X-rays?

You might be wondering what dentists are looking for when they peer at tooth X-rays. They may be looking for confirmation that a cavity exists in one or more teeth. Typically, a cavity shows up on an X-ray as a darker spot or a shadow on a tooth. Meanwhile, a typical filling shows up as a much brighter spot on the tooth.

Can a cavity be deceptive?

The answer is not always. Unfortunately, a cavity can be deceptive. It can hide and be obscured by old fillings, location, or just not be obvious by eye or X-ray. Many times I see a small cavity in a tooth that I think will be small and find after drilling that it is much, much bigger than originally thought.