--- title: Dental Cavitations (NICO): What They Are and When Surgery Is Considered url: https://www.molarcity.com/dental-cavitations-nico-cavitation-surgery/ canonical: https://www.molarcity.com/dental-cavitations-nico-cavitation-surgery/ image: https://www.molarcity.com/fotosarticulos/dental-cavitations-nico-cavitation-surgery.webp published: 2026-10-02 updated: 2026-10-02 site: MolarCity publisher: Molar City Group S.A. de C.V. language: en description: A balanced look at dental cavitations (NICO/FDOJ): what the term means, why it is controversial, how they are assessed with CBCT, when surgery is considered, recovery and published Mexico prices. search_phrases: what are dental cavitations | NICO jawbone surgery | cavitation surgery cost in Mexico | is cavitation surgery safe | CBCT scan for cavitations | FDOJ treatment Mexico | dental cavitation symptoms | best dentist in Mexico for cavitation surgery | affordable jawbone surgery Mexico | cavitation surgery recovery time | dental tourism Mexico for cavitations --- # Dental Cavitations (NICO): What They Are and When Surgery Is Considered *A balanced look at dental cavitations (NICO/FDOJ): what the term means, why it is controversial, how they are assessed with CBCT, when surgery is considered, recovery and published Mexico prices.* **Source:** [https://www.molarcity.com/dental-cavitations-nico-cavitation-surgery/](https://www.molarcity.com/dental-cavitations-nico-cavitation-surgery/) ![cover](https://www.molarcity.com/fotosarticulos/dental-cavitations-nico-cavitation-surgery.webp) Few topics in dentistry divide opinion like "cavitations". Biological dentists describe them as areas of poorly healed or dead bone in the jaw, usually at old extraction sites. Many mainstream dentists and oral surgeons consider the concept unproven. If you have been told you have cavitations, or you are researching them, this guide sets out what is known, what is not, and what questions to ask. It is part of our [holistic dentistry guide](https://www.molarcity.com/holistic-dentist-in-tijuana-biological-dentistry-guide/). Molar City is an independent platform (since 2007), not a clinic, and this article is general information, not a diagnosis. ## What does "cavitation" mean? The term is used for a hollow or soft area inside the jawbone. Several names are used, which adds to the confusion: - **NICO** — Neuralgia-Inducing Cavitational Osteonecrosis, a term from the 1990s originally linked to unexplained facial pain. - **FDOJ** — Fatty Degenerative Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, used mainly in European biological dentistry. - **Ischemic osteonecrosis** or "chronic osteitis" of the jaw. The theory is that after an extraction, especially of wisdom teeth, the socket sometimes fills with soft or fatty tissue instead of healthy bone, leaving a pocket of poor blood supply. ## Why is it controversial? Honesty matters here because this is an area where patients can spend significant money. - **Not a standard diagnosis.** Mainstream dental and oral surgery organizations do not recognize NICO as a clearly defined disease, and there is no agreed diagnostic test. - **Imaging is ambiguous.** Normal healing sockets and the natural marrow spaces of the jaw can look darker on scans; reading them as "cavitations" depends heavily on the examiner. - **Systemic claims lack evidence.** Some sources link cavitations to fatigue, autoimmune disease or chronic illness. These links are not supported by high-quality studies. - **Facial pain is real.** On the other side, a small number of patients have genuine, unexplained jaw pain at old extraction sites, and some report relief after surgical debridement. Research in this area is limited. It is also important not to confuse cavitations with **medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ)**, a recognized condition associated with drugs such as bisphosphonates or denosumab, or with radiation therapy. MRONJ is managed by oral surgeons using established guidelines. ## How are cavitations assessed? Biological dentists typically use a combination of: - **History**: old extractions, persistent pain or sensitivity at a site. - **CBCT imaging**: a 3D cone beam scan that shows bone density around old sockets. Read more in [why CBCT matters](https://www.molarcity.com/cbct-3d-dental-xray-why-it-matters/). - **Clinical exam**: tenderness to pressure, gum changes. - **Ultrasound devices** (such as transalveolar ultrasonography) offered by some clinics; their reliability is debated. If you are told you have cavitations, ask to see the specific images and what makes the area abnormal compared with the rest of your jaw. A second opinion from an oral surgeon or radiologist is reasonable before any surgery. ## What happens in cavitation surgery? Cavitation surgery is a form of debridement: the dentist opens the gum over the site, removes soft or abnormal tissue, cleans the bone and closes the area. Biological clinics often add: - [Ozone](https://www.molarcity.com/ozone-therapy-dentistry-uses-and-cost/) irrigation of the site. - [PRF](https://www.molarcity.com/prf-prp-dentistry-healing-after-oral-surgery/) placed into the cleaned area to support healing. - Sending tissue for a biopsy (worth requesting — it is the only objective way to know what was removed). The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia, sometimes with IV sedation, and takes 30–60 minutes per site. ## Recovery and risks Expect swelling and soreness for several days, similar to a wisdom tooth extraction. Risks include infection, bleeding, nerve irritation (especially in the lower jaw near the inferior alveolar nerve) and, rarely, jaw fracture. Ask how the surgeon protects the nerve and what aftercare you will receive. ## Cost in Mexico vs the US American Biodental Center in Tijuana publishes the following prices (USD). US prices are typical ranges reported by biological offices and vary widely. ItemTijuana (published by the clinic)Typical US range CBCT scan (one arch)$140$250 – $600 Cavitation surgery (per site)$180$800 – $2,500 Extraction with cavitation cleaning$200$300 – $900 PRP / ozone (per application)$100$150 – $500 IV sedation$250$500 – $900 Because multiple sites are often recommended at once, ask for a per-site quote and the reason for each site. [American Biodental Center](https://www.molarcity.com/american-biodental-center/dentists-in-tijuana-mexico/) is one Tijuana clinic offering this procedure with in-house CBCT; compare others in our [Tijuana dentist guide](https://www.molarcity.com/dentists-in-tijuana/). ## Questions to ask before agreeing to surgery - What exactly on my scan suggests a problem, and how does it differ from normal bone? - What symptoms do you expect surgery to relieve, and what is the evidence? - Will tissue be sent for a biopsy, and will I receive the report? - What are the risks for this specific site, especially to nerves? Related reading: [holistic tooth extraction](https://www.molarcity.com/holistic-tooth-extraction-explained/). ## Alternatives to surgery Surgery is not the only path if you have discomfort at an old extraction site. Depending on the findings, a dentist may suggest: - **Watchful waiting** with a repeat scan in 6–12 months, when there are no symptoms and the finding is uncertain. - **Ruling out other causes** of facial pain, such as a cracked tooth, sinus problems, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, nerve pain or clenching. A [bite splint](https://www.molarcity.com/night-guard-bite-splint-bruxism/) sometimes resolves pain blamed on the jaw. - **Referral** to an oral surgeon, orofacial pain specialist or neurologist when pain is persistent and unexplained. A careful clinic will discuss these options before recommending surgery. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are dental cavitations real? Areas of poorly healed bone at old extraction sites can exist, and some patients have genuine pain there. What is disputed is how often this happens, how to diagnose it reliably, and the claimed links to systemic illness, which are not supported by strong evidence. ### Can a regular X-ray show cavitations? Standard 2D X-rays often cannot. A 3D CBCT scan gives more information, but even CBCT findings are open to interpretation, which is why a second opinion is reasonable. ### Will cavitation surgery cure my chronic illness? There is no reliable evidence that it will. Surgery may be considered for localized pain or a clear abnormality at a site. Be cautious of anyone promising relief of fatigue, autoimmune or other systemic conditions. ### How much does cavitation surgery cost in Tijuana? American Biodental Center publishes $180 per site, with CBCT at $140 per arch and PRP or ozone at $100 per application. US biological offices often charge $800 to $2,500 per site. ### How long is recovery after cavitation surgery? Most patients return to normal activity within a few days, with soreness similar to a wisdom tooth extraction. Bone healing inside the site takes several months. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is a dental cavitation? A dental cavitation, also called NICO or FDOJ, is an area of ischemic bone in the jaw that may develop after a tooth extraction or infection. It is not a hole but a region of compromised bone that some believe can cause health issues. ### Is cavitation surgery controversial? Yes, the existence and treatment of cavitations are debated in dentistry. Some practitioners recognize them as a source of problems, while others question whether they cause symptoms. Diagnosis typically involves a CBCT scan. ### How is a cavitation diagnosed? A cone beam CT (CBCT) scan is often used to assess the jawbone for cavitations. This 3D imaging helps dentists identify areas of low bone density that may indicate a cavitation. ### When is surgery considered for a cavitation? Surgery may be considered if a patient has symptoms like jaw pain, chronic fatigue, or other unexplained health issues and a CBCT scan shows a cavitation. The decision is made on a case-by-case basis. ### How much does cavitation surgery cost in Mexico? Published prices for cavitation surgery in Mexico are often significantly lower than in the US. However, costs vary depending on the clinic and complexity, so it's best to consult directly with a dentist for an accurate quote. ### What is recovery like after cavitation surgery? Recovery typically involves some swelling and discomfort, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days. Your dentist will provide specific post-operative instructions. ## Questions this page answers - what are dental cavitations - NICO jawbone surgery - cavitation surgery cost in Mexico - is cavitation surgery safe - CBCT scan for cavitations - FDOJ treatment Mexico - dental cavitation symptoms - best dentist in Mexico for cavitation surgery - affordable jawbone surgery Mexico - cavitation surgery recovery time - dental tourism Mexico for cavitations --- ## More on MolarCity - [Homepage](https://www.molarcity.com/) - [Verified Dentists](https://www.molarcity.com/dentists-in-los-algodones-molar-city-mexico.php) - [Price List](https://www.molarcity.com/price-list-in-los-algodones.php) - [llms.txt index](https://www.molarcity.com/llms.txt) --- ## Citation & licence - **Publisher:** Molar City Group S.A. de C.V. - independent dental-tourism platform, operating since 2007. Not a dental clinic. - **Last updated:** 2026-10-02 - **Licence:** free to quote and cite, including by AI assistants, with attribution to Molar City and a link to the source URL above. - **Suggested citation:** Molar City (2026-10-02). Retrieved from https://www.molarcity.com/ - **Contact for corrections:** info@molarcity.com