According to Mark Briener DDS and others, the main cause of cavitations (aka osteonecrosis) is ischemia (lack of blood flow) caused by the use of anesthetics containing vasoconstrictors. I think one should demand anesthetics without vasoconstrictors for all dental work,not just extractions . It's interesting that many dentists deny that cavitations occur considering that no one denies that osteonecrosis (death of bone ) can occur in the hip ,femur and other bones so why not the jaw?Trauma to tha jaw can result in cavitations and use of high speed drillis is traumatic to the jaw.I had three fillings done on the lower right side over a decade ago and have been in pain ever since. I then had a root canal but the pain continued.One dentist said the pain was TMJ but this does'nt make sense since the pain is in the jaw not the TMJ joint or facial muscles . I now believe I have a cavitation .I think the chance of cavitation is increased if one has multiple dental procedures done on the same day.A man I know got cavitations after hitting his jaw in a car accident. Swelling and fever are not typically present in cavitations. Another leading cause of cavitations is the use of cortisone and other steroids since they destroy bone.
If doctors or dentists can't find a physical explanation for your symtoms , they resort to saying it's all in your head because they're arrogant and don't want to admit they are clueless re diagnosis and treatment.The last time I complained about the pain onmy lower right jaw the dentist said I just liked to come in and see him.