X-Ray of Tooth Decay

The blue arrow on dental xray denotes the decay on the mesial aspect of the upper left second premolar. The radio-opaque (white) area on the coronal aspect is an existing distal-occlusal amalgam restoration. The extent of the caries show pulpal involvement, hence this tooth has become non vital (pulpal death has occurred). The extent of the decay indicates either extraction of the tooth or root canal treatment, preferably followed by the placement of a gold or porcelain crown.