Abstract
ABSTRACTThe term “occult caries” and “hidden caries” are used to describe such lesions, which are not clinically diagnosed but detected only on radiographs.A female patient aged 14 years reported for routine dental check-up. On Intraoral examination, sinus was seen in the buccal mucosa of maxillary left second premolar 25. On clinical examination the occlusal surface remained ostensibly intact; tooth was asymptomatic with no past history of pain. On radiographic examination, there was radiolucency in distobuccal aspect of 25 involving enamel, dentin and nearing pulp with presence of open apex and periapical radiolucency irt 25. With clinical and radiographic evaluation, the case was diagnosed as occult caries in relation to 25. Apexification was done with calcium hydroxide. The tooth is under observation; once radiographic barrier is formed conventional root canal treatment will be performed.Conclusion : Early diagnosis of occult lesions is the best management. As radiographs are probably the most effective method of diagnosing all occult lesions, they should be recommended at appropriate ages to aid early detection of these lesions.
Highlights
Dental caries remains a critical concern today and continues to be the most prevalent infectious disease in the world
As radiographs are probably the most effective method of diagnosing all occult lesions, they should be recommended at appropriate ages to aid early detection of these lesions
Occult/hidden caries is defined as occlusal caries, which is not diagnosed clinically because the occlusal surface appears to be ostensibly intact and shows radiolucencies in dentin.[1]
Summary
Dental caries remains a critical concern today and continues to be the most prevalent infectious disease in the world. The last century has provided tremendous advancements in the understanding and treatment of dental caries, yet the disease prevails as a worldwide epidemic. Just our plain understanding that the infectious bacteria will produce acid when supplied with nutrients and cause demineralization of the host tooth surface will not be sufficient to eliminate the caries disease process. Pediatric dentists have recognized that there exist some deep occlusal lesions in premolar and molar teeth, which have missed clinical detection because the occlusal surfaces remained ostensibly intact until large parts of the crowns have been destroyed. The nature of these lesions, their etiologies, and reasons as to why they have eluded early, clinical diagnosis are still unclear
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