Latent or rampant caries is a condition where, although no cracks or holes are visible in the enamel, the dentin tissue immediately beneath the enamel is extensively eroded and decayed. This is because, due to fluoride use or structural characteristics, the outer enamel remains hard, but acids seeping through the interdental spaces rapidly erode the soft dentin inside. In children, these cavities can be completely missed during a purely visual clinical examination and may suddenly progress beyond the scope of fillings to the level of root canal treatment. To prevent this, interdental X-rays, known as “bite-wing” X-rays, should be taken every six months during checkups in pediatric dentistry. Thanks to these X-rays, even newly developing microscopic cavities between two teeth can be detected early.
