X-Ray of Tooth Decay

This bitewing dental xray shows the upper and lower right second premolar, first and second molar. In the past a dentist has restored both upper and lower first molar teeth, seen as the radio-opaque (white) areas. The blue arrows point to he large dental caries on the distal occlusal aspect of the upper right first molar. On examination, if this tooth is found to be non vital (pulpal death has occurred) a root canal treatment or extraction may be required. The patient and dentist’s choice of final restoration is wide ranging from an amalgam restoration or gold inlay/onlay, to more cosmetic dentistry orientated choices such as porcelains/composite or even a porcelain crown if indicated.