A dental cavitation is a hole in the jawbone, even though “dental” usually refers to the teeth. The more medical term for this is “neuralgia-induced cavitational osteonecrosis”.
What Is a Dental Cavitation?
According to historical research, the term “cavitation” was “coined in 1930 by an orthopedic researcher to describe a disease process in which a lack of blood flow into the area produced a hole in the jawbone.”
Cavitations are not cavities, although both terms basically describe holes.
Dental cavitations may be difficult to detect, even on x-rays. Cavitations may not cause pain, making them harder to diagnose. Untreated cavitations can lead to infection, chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and other systemic diseases.
Bone cell death in the jawbone was first discussed in an 1848 textbook, A Practical Treatise on Dental Medicine. This textbook recommended removing the necrotic bone completely, but we’ve come a long way since then. In 1915, Dr. G.V. Black, the father of modern dentistry, described jawbone necrosis and cavitation.
He suggested surgically scraping the unhealthy bone tissue, toxins, abscesses, and cysts out of the cavitation. This remains the most popular treatment method.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases explains, “Osteonecrosis happens when the blood supply to part of a bone is disrupted, depriving bone tissue of essential nutrients and oxygen.”
Cavitations can occur in any bone in your body, but the most common cavitation occurs in your jawbone. For the purposes of this article, “cavitation” refers to a jawbone or dental cavitation.
Because most people (and many conventional dentists) are unaware of what cavitations are, we believe it’s vital to provide this information to the general public. This article is your go-to for any cavitation questions.
