Jaw Bone Cavitation: The 2 Best Treatment Methods

What is jaw bone cavitation?

The first thing that must be taken into account regarding this condition is to clarify the terms and their differences. It is very common to confuse the term cavity with cavitation. In dentistry, a dental cavity refers to a hole in the dental surface, generally appearing when there is a cavity. Cavitation refers to a hole in the surface of the bone, but the term can be used both in medicine and dentistry, since it can occur in any bone.

Jaw bone cavitation is also known as cavitational osteonecrosis or ischemic osteonecrosis. It is a serious pathology that occurs after having suffered an infectious process, inflammation or necrosis within the jaw. The typical treatment is surgery.

What can cause jaw bone cavitation?

Jaw bone cavitation is an injury that can compromise both the mandible and maxilla. It has no apparent cause and can occur spontaneously or after a dental extraction. It can also be caused by trauma (strong blows) or pharmacological treatments with a high dose of bisphosphonates, although it has not been shown that their use is directly related to the development of cavitation. However, it is recommended to carry out other dental treatments before starting with bisphosphonates, chemo or radiotherapy.

What are the symptoms of osteonecrosis of the jaw or jaw bone cavitation?

Jaw cavitation may not have manifest symptoms for a long period of time. When the cavitation is in an advanced stage, there is usually pain, purulent discharge, and the exposed jaw bone can be observed. It can also occur in the maxilla, although less frequently. The teeth and gums can be compromised, and fistulas can also develop inside or outside the mouth.

How can you recognize the symptoms of jaw bone cavitation?

As a disease that occurs without symptoms, it is important to recognize changes in the tissues of the mouth, especially after a dental treatment. Severe pain, accompanied by purulent discharge, bad breath. There may be warning signs and a specialist should be consulted immediately. The bacteria and toxic substances accumulated in the affected area can reach the circulation through the nervous tissue, affecting other cells and organs of the body, causing episodes of:

● Generalized inflammation
● Chronic fatigue
● General discomfort

Is there treatment for jaw bone cavitation?

The diagnosis of the disease should be made after a clinical evaluation. the dentist can request an X-ray or tomography to confirm the diagnosis and suggest a treatment plan that may include:

● Limited debridement, antibiotics, and mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine.
● Surgical Recession: should be the last option to consider as recession can make the condition worse.

Can jaw bone cavitation be prevented?

Jaw cavitation is a rare pathology, and as such, it does not have a specific cause. However, it is associated with the ingestion of certain medications such as bisphosphonates, medications for osteoporosis, or bone exposure for at least 8 weeks after a dental extraction. It is important to inform the dentist about the consumption of medications or chemo or radiotherapy treatments before performing any treatment, especially dental extractions since these factors increase the probability of developing bone necrosis after dental treatments.

These factors significantly elevate the risk of developing bone necrosis after dental procedures. Additionally, individuals who have not experienced the closure of a wisdom tooth hole should also provide this information to their dentist.

Conclusion

It is very important to inform the dentist and oral surgeon that you are undergoing treatment with medications such as bisphosphonates, treatment for osteoporosis, or if you have been or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment since these factors promote the development of mandibular bone cavitation. It is advisable to perform oral surgeries or dental treatments before starting a pharmacological or oncological treatment to avoid this complication.

However, it does not mean that dental treatment cannot be done during atreatment. It is not highly recommended; but if you can do it, take into account that dental treatments must be done by specialists such as the oral or maxillofacial surgeon – always in support of the treating physician. In addition, having good oral hygiene habits, a balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle all help to avoid complications that can put your health at risk.