Is this decay/cavity or stain? (Photos)

Question

So just over a month ago I had a checkup and a clean and I had 3 cavitys which are all fixed. I've been doing Invisalign for 2 weeks now so I'm constantly bushing my teeth and flossing 3 times a day and I noticed this orange spot in the crease of my back teeth (not sure if old or new). I'm freaking out because I just spent $1000 on cavitys a month ago and now this! It's not painful or anything at all and I'm hoping not decay. What does it look like to you?

Doug Jopling, DDS · Answer

Hard to tell from the photos.  You should be having an Invisalign appointment in the next 2 to 4 weeks, so just ask the dentist to examine it then.  If you had a recent exam,cleaning and x-rays and they filled all cvities that were found, it is very unlikely that this is a cavity.  Maybe the Invisalign aligner has just moved the tooth enough that something is more is more visible than before treatment began.  Just relax and talk to your dentist at your upcoming visit.Douglas Jopling, DDSDallas, TX area

Courtney L. Lavigne, DMD (retired) · Answer

Hi there,You would need an X-ray to determine if this is a cavity requiring a filling. Sometimes decay starts and is then remineralized, so a filling is not required, but stain remains. Sometimes a new cavity is starting but if on an X-ray it is small and limited to the outer layer of tooth (enamel) because it can still have a chance at being remineralized we don't fill it. A cavity between the teeth warrants a filling once it reaches the junction of the first and second layer of tooth, which is determined with an X-ray. Ask your dentist at your next Invisalign appointment.Best of luck!

Is this decay/cavity or stain? (Photos)

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Is this decay/cavity or stain? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.