Q.
Dear Dr, I have problem with my front tooth and I need your advice. I have had a root canal treatment back in 2003 and have not had a problem since then. I am only 22 years old and recently in November 2009, I remember tugging it eating roast beef and my front tooth hurting shortly after. My gums above went purple and initially thought it was only just bruised. Shortly after a lump appeared and I went to the dentist who said it was a gum infection and gave me a treatment of antibiotics. It appeared to get better but shortly after another lump appeared, this time with pus. I went back to the dentist and went on another course(a stronger dose and for longer). This did not seem to work either so I went back to the dentist who took an x-ray and said there has been severe bone loss around my tooth and I need to get referred to a specialists. Since then, my toot has deteriorated and been in much pain. I can no longer eat solid food and even talking hurts. The tooth is so fragile that the slightest contact sends a pain to the nerve/root of my tooth. Also recently, I have noticed that the tooth has actually moved down slightly and is no longer in line with my other front tooth but lower. It is definitely wiggly and I do not know what I can do. I have been waiting to see a specialist for over a month now and do not know what I can do in the meantime until I see them. I have been living in London for 2 years but am actually from New Zealand, I’m thinking will I need to go home for treatment there or is there something I can do in the meantime until I go back at the end of this year. Could you please give me some advice: do you know what is wrong with my tooth? is this common problem? what I can do in the meantime before I can see someone? What are my options for treatment? Am I going to have to get a crown now? if not reassurance that my tooth isn’t just going to fall out anytime soon. Cause that’s what it feels like every time I touch it, feels like it’s so wiggly and painful I can no longer sleep at night. I hope you can help give me some advice. I have been waiting almost 5 months now for someone to actually tell me what is wrong! And I’m seeing the endodontist but I don’t know how long before I can actually get treatment. Kind Regards.,