Shadow on x-ray but no pain?

[AngelCatMei]

Hi,

I went for a regular check-up and took a full x-ray. Dentist say everything seems good. Gum is healthy too.

However, he say he could see some shadow on my left lower first molar (the one that I doodle on). He did a cold test and tapping test on it. All was fine. I could feel the coldness but it is the normal kind of reaction that a tooth have toward coldness. It does not linger as well. He told me that it could be nothing as well since I am not having pain. If I am having pain then it will be an infected tooth.

Could it be that I have lesser bone there? Please kindly advise if you think it was an infected tooth. Thank you!

X-ray link: http://imgur.com/HmkxWFG

[djspeece]

I'm an RN and not a radiologist, but it seems to me you have an area of greater density, which causes a darker area ("shadow") on an X-Ray. An area of less calcium would probably appear lighter on an X-Ray. Pure speculation, it could just be some sort of calcification (area of extra calcium, which makes teeth (and bones) hard, or possibly a bit of glue on the outside of the tooth that your dentist overlooked at examination (presumably from applying brackets.) I would go with your dentist's opinion about infection. If there was an issue with the root or nerve you would probably be very sensitive to cold. Sometimes the more we look and more tests are conducted minor, normal variations are discovered. I'd recommend you go back in a few months and have a repeat X-Ray of that tooth. Of course pain or increased sensitivity to cold would be reasons to go to your dentist immediately for an examination. Best of luck to you.

[AngelCatMei]

I'm an RN and not a radiologist, but it seems to me you have an area of greater density, which causes a darker area ("shadow") on an X-Ray. An area of less calcium would probably appear lighter on an X-Ray. Pure speculation, it could just be some sort of calcification (area of extra calcium, which makes teeth (and bones) hard, or possibly a bit of glue on the outside of the tooth that your dentist overlooked at examination (presumably from applying brackets.) I would go with your dentist's opinion about infection. If there was an issue with the root or nerve you would probably be very sensitive to cold. Sometimes the more we look and more tests are conducted minor, normal variations are discovered. I'd recommend you go back in a few months and have a repeat X-Ray of that tooth. Of course pain or increased sensitivity to cold would be reasons to go to your dentist immediately for an examination. Best of luck to you.

I am going back for braces review in a month. Will definitely take another x-ray once all the brackets are out. Thank you so much for reply! My tooth has always been sensitive to cold and too sugary food, like locker biscuits that will stick to your teeth.

Is it possible to have an infected tooth even though my tooth doesn't have any trauma or decay?

[assertives]

Is it possible to have an infected tooth even though my tooth doesn't have any trauma or decay?

Yes. A non-vital (dead) tooth can be infected. A dead tooth can be caused by trauma and also braces, but non-vital teeth due to braces is quite uncommon.