Can a Tooth get a Cavity Before it Erupts?
Can a tooth get a cavity before it even erupts into the mouth? Well, in a bacteriological sense, no, but I occassionally see an odd occurance where there is evidently a large radioluscency(dark area) in the coronal (top) part of a unerupted tooth that indicates loss of tooth structure like a cavity would appear. What is it? Technically it cannot be a cavity as that is caused by a bacteriological process. There are no cavity causing bacteria associated with an unerupted tooth. This is due to some kind of abnormal internal resorptive process. The cells in the developing tooth dissolve the tooth from the inside out in a pattern similar to a cavity. When the tooth actually erupts, bacteria go right to the area and starts an actual decay process. So, basically you end up with a really big cavity rapidly. It is necessary to treat these teeth early and agressively. Sometimes they even need a root canal or removal. It's a pretty odd thing to see on an x-ray if you understand the normal decay process. This is not to be confused with developmental defects in the enamel like Enamel Hypoplasia, which is quite common. It is probably more similar to Internal Resorption , which starts in the pulpal tissue rather than the coronal area, but I have to say I don't really know for sure what causes it.
posted by Dr. Dean Brandon @ 4:33 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Dr dean,
I am writing to you from Ireland as I am really concerned about my 8 year old son's dental heath, in the past three years he has had alot of work done on his teeth, they seem to be decaying right in front of my eye's, we have cut out sweets totally from his diet which in the first place were only occasional treats, and he even brushes he's teeth after every meal, but noting seems to stop the decay. its really worrying now at this stage because he's permanent teeth are coming through, and are been affected by this ongoing decay as well, within a matter of months one tooth was so badly decayed he had to have a filling put in.
From reading your blog's I have noticed many things that my son could have from tooth internal resorption to enamel hypoplasia. There is also a factor to be taken into account that I had a bad accident while pregnant and was taken to hospital and but on steroids and other medication as well, I wonder if all this could have affected the development of he's teeth that they have become weakened in some way. when he's first baby tooth came down it had a yellow stain on it, I brought him to a dentist and was told it was because of a trauma while pregnant he also has white stains like in your blog about enamel hypoplasia.
I am so worried and concerned at this stage that I feel he will be spending the rest of he's years with nonstop dental problems already at the age of 8 I can't count the amount of time's he has been to the dentist, could he even have a calcium deficiency? as you can see i am very worried about it and any information you could give me would be most welcome.
yours sincerely
Aileen Bell.
Sorry to hear your situation. Remember, once decay starts it will continue getting worse no matter how much you brush, etc. (although it does slow it down a little) until it is restored/fixed.
A lot of young kids I see that have lots of problems with decay seem to have fewer problems as they get older into the permanent dentition (thicker enamel/better brushing technique/sealants helping to prevent occlusal decay). Still, if you think he has decay, it needs to be addressed/fixed. Don't worry too much, with a caring parent like you, I think he will be fine.
I think my son has a cavity in his front tooth.As a baby it seemed his tooth came in with a small hole.Now it seems to be getting darker.I brush and floss everyday.I dont see how this is happening.
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