Ongoing jaw pain, facial discomfort, or unexplained health symptoms after dental work could be a sign of a hidden jawbone infection. Jawbone cavitations, also known as NICO, often go undetected on standard X-rays but may quietly impact both oral and whole-body health. Here’s what Dallas patients should know about cavitation treatment, symptoms, diagnosis, and healing options.
If you’ve ever wondered why jaw discomfort, facial pain, or even lingering health issues showed up long after a tooth extraction or root canal, you’re not alone. Many patients come to us at Lynn Dental Care feeling frustrated because something still doesn’t feel right, but they can’t quite pinpoint why. In some cases, the cause is a hidden condition most people (and even many dentists) don’t talk about: jawbone cavitations.
At our Dallas practice, we provide advanced cavitation treatment using biological and regenerative techniques that support not only your oral health, but your overall well-being.
So, What Exactly Are Jawbone Cavitations?
Despite the name, jawbone cavitations aren’t cavities in the teeth. Clinically referred to as NICO (Neuralgia-Inducing Cavitational Osteonecrosis) or SICO, these are areas of damaged or dead bone in the jaw where healing never fully occurred.
What makes cavitations tricky is that they often:
- Develop silently, without obvious dental symptoms
- Appear years after wisdom tooth extractions or root canals
- Harbor bacteria and toxins that can stress the immune system
Because they don’t always show up on standard dental X-rays, many people live with cavitations for years without knowing they exist.
Why Do Cavitations Form?
In most cases, cavitations develop when the jawbone doesn’t heal properly after dental trauma or surgery. Common causes include:
- Wisdom tooth extraction sites that didn’t fully heal
- Older or failed root canals with lingering infection
- Previous dental trauma or surgical complications
- Suppressed immune function or chronic inflammation
Symptoms: Subtle in the Mouth, Loud in the Body
One of the most surprising things about cavitations is that they can exist without significant pain in the jaw, yet still affect overall health. Some patients experience:
- Jaw or facial pain
- Headaches or nerve-related discomfort
- Bite issues or sinus pressure
- Chronic fatigue or inflammatory symptoms
While not every systemic issue is caused by cavitations, ongoing jawbone infections can contribute to whole-body inflammation and immune stress.
How We Diagnose Cavitations
At Lynn Dental Care, we use CBCT 3D imaging to look beyond what traditional X-rays can reveal. This advanced technology allows us to evaluate bone density, inflammation, and areas of osteonecrosis with far greater accuracy.
Our Biological Approach to Cavitation Treatment in Dallas
Once cavitations are identified, treatment focuses on eliminating infection and creating the right environment for healthy healing. Our approach may include:
- Gentle surgical debridement to remove diseased bone
- Laser removal of diseased tissue
- Ozone therapy to disinfect and oxygenate tissues
- PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) to stimulate natural bone regeneration, with synthetic bone graft
This regenerative, biological approach helps promote long-term healing and reduces the risk of future complications.
Why Patients Choose Lynn Dental Care
Dr. Brock Lynn is experienced in treating jawbone cavitations using evidence-based biological dentistry. Patients choose our Dallas office for our advanced technology, patient-centered care, and focus on whole-body health, not just symptoms.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you suspect jawbone cavitations or are searching for trusted NICO treatment in Dallas, our team is here to help. We’ll provide a thorough evaluation and a personalized treatment plan designed to support both oral and overall wellness.
Contact Lynn Dental Care today to schedule your cavitation consultation.
