Dental Cavitations

Dental cavitations refer to areas of bone loss or infection that can occur in the jawbone, often associated with the extraction of teeth. These cavitations can be asymptomatic, meaning they might not cause noticeable pain or discomfort, but they can lead to various health issues, including chronic pain, infection, or other systemic problems.

Causes:

• Tooth Extraction: Cavitations often develop after the removal of a tooth if the extraction site does not heal properly.
• Infection: Bacterial infections can contribute to the formation of these areas.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Lack of proper dental care can lead to complications post-extraction.

Symptoms:

• Chronic pain in the jaw or surrounding areas
• Swelling or tenderness
• Bad breath
• Possible systemic symptoms like fatigue or malaise

Diagnosis:

• Dental X-rays: Used to visualize bone loss.
• Cone Beam CT Scans: More advanced imaging to assess the extent of the cavitation.

Treatment:

1. Surgical Intervention: The most common treatment involves surgically cleaning out the cavitation to remove infected tissue and promote proper healing.
2. Bone Grafting: Sometimes, bone grafts may be used to help regenerate the lost bone.
3. Ozone Therapy: This alternative treatment aims to disinfect the area and promote healing.
4. Antibiotics: May be prescribed to manage infection.
5. Follow-Up Care: Regular dental check-ups to monitor healing and prevent recurrence.

At Anne Swart Clinic we use a surgical technique, combined with laser, ozone and red light therapy to treat dental cavitations.