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What Does This Dental X-ray Report Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 9 Mar 2017

Question: My husband went for his teeth cleaning and xray, and a shadow showed up over tooth 14. This tooth has been giving him problems for a few months. In October, he noticed a recession that went into his palate. We ran to our dentist and he sent us to a specialist. The next doctor was supposed to fix the badly done root canal, but he said there was no point, as the tooth was beyond salvation, according to him. He said: severe recession into palate and deep probing. We went back to our dictor and he told us that, as long as it is not giving him problems, the tooth does not need to be extracted for now. However, this time he is sending him to an oral surgeon. The shadow is above the tooth, close to the sinus, and has a horseshoe shape. Our doc is not worried, but I am freaking out. What could this be?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be a cyst or an abscess, treatable, don't worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for the query..

As per your description, a shadow above the tooth that has already been having gum recession seems to have infection above the root tips of the tooth and it is leading to either an abscess or cyst formation..

No need to worry, it's quite treatable..

You are being sent to Oral Surgeon most probably as the teeth roots might be close to the sinus floor and an expert should be consulted for treatment. Therefore oral surgeon is most appropriate in this case..

Do not worry, as once the tooth gets extracted and proper antibiotics are taken the problem will be resolved soon..

Please write back for more queries..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (19 hours later)

Could it be something in the upper jaw? The shadow is not exactly at the tooth root, or at least I do not see it there. It is closer to the sinus. I can send you a pictute of the xray.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please send x ray..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..

Yes, please upload the x ray that will help me to evaluate what exactly the shadow is due to..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (27 minutes later)

I uploaded the photo to Reports. Hope you can find it. I do not know how to upload it here

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please contact customer support..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..

Sorry, but I have not received any image. There is an option to upload reports and pictures on this page. You can use it to upload files. Alternatively send it across as an email to YYYY@YYYY with subject as "Attn Dr. Honey Arora".

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (9 minutes later)

I sent it through the email you gave me

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infection below root tips, nothing else..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..

I have evaluated the x ray that you have uploaded and the large shadow is nothing but the sinus cavity that is visible..

The tooth is infected and there is also Infection below root tips of the tooth that is evident in the x ray.

You should proceed with extraction of the tooth..

Please write back for more queries..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Can an infection be painless? He has no pain

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chronic Infection can be..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..

Yes, as he has Infection that is appearing to be long standing that has caused recession and bone loss as well as tooth is root canal treated..

This can cause chronic inflammation and can be without pain or discomfort..

But such infections can flare up anytime and become painful, therefore treatment is a must..

Please write back for more queries..

Hope this helps .

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (9 hours later)

So the shadow that is in the photo is the sinus?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi..

Yes, the large shadow is of the sinus and not Infection..

The small shadow that is present at the root tips is due to infection..

Hope this information helps..

Regards .

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee