International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry

Register      Login

VOLUME 3 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2010 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Occult Caries: The Hidden Truth

V Satish, Prabhadevi CM, Hegde KV

Citation Information : Satish V, CM P, KV H. Occult Caries: The Hidden Truth. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2010; 3 (3):225-229.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1083i

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-06-2018

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2010; The Author(s).


Abstract

The 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.


PDF Share
  1. Weerheijm KL, Kidd EA, Groen HJ. The effect of fluoridation on the occrence of hidden carried clinically sound occlusal surfaces. Caries Res 1997;31(1):30-34
  2. A textbook of oral pathology. 4th edn. UK: Saunders; 1983. p. 917
  3. International Consensus Workshop on Caries Cinical Trials (ICW-CCT): Final consensus statements: agreeing where the evidence leads. J Dent Res 2004;83 Spec No C:C125-C128
  4. BrDent J 1988 Apr;164(7):209-211
  5. The prevalence of clinically undetected occlusal dentine caries in Scottish adolescents. Br Dent J 1990 Sep;169(5):126-129
  6. The prevalence of clinically undetected and untreated molar occlusal dentine caries in adolescents in the Isle of Wight. Caries Res 1992;26(5):397-401
  7. Clinically undetected occlusal dentine caries: A radiographic comparison. Caries Res 1992;26(4):305-309
  8. Prevalene of hidden caries. ASDC J Dent Child 1992 Nov- Dec;59(6):408-412
  9. Occlusal hidden caries: a bacteriological profile. ASDC J Dent Child 1990 Nov-Dec;57(6):428-432
  10. Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption as an entity of occult caries. Pediatr Dent 2000 Sep-Oct;22(5):370-376
  11. Prevalence of pre-eruptive intracoronal dentin defects from panoramic radiographs. Pediatr Dent 1999 Sep-Oct;21(6):332-339
  12. The prevalence of pre-eruptive dentin radiolucencies in the permanent dentition. Pediatr Dent 1999 Jan-Feb;21(1):26-33
  13. Preeruptive radiolucencies of unerupted teeth: Report of a case and literature review. Quintessence Int 1988 Feb;19(2):157-160
  14. The clinical diagnosis of occlusal caries: A problem. ASDC J Dent Child 1989 May-Jun;56(3):196-200
  15. Utility of radiology, laser fluorescence, and transillumination. Dent Clin North Am 2005 Oct:49(4):739-752.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.