Non-cavitated dental radiolucent lesions: A challenge for the dental healthcare provider

Pre-eruptive intracoronal radiolucencies (PIR) and post-eruptive hidden caries (PHC) are non-cavitated intracoronal dental lesions that are usually detected only through radiographic observation. As a result, these lesions present numerous challenges for the dental healthcare provider that markedly differs from that of other non-cavitated dental lesions (early/incipient/demineralized white spots). Best practice principles should be employed, for example, timely recognition and radiographic surveillance/observation, logical treatment management, along with judicious communication amongst all parties involved (parent/guardian, pediatric dentist and orthodontist). This article attempts to review and discuss the literature of these conditions and present a case report of a patient with PIR.