Q.
Hi, I fell over and knocked out half of my front tooth 11 years ago. I went to my dentist who drilled the remaining tooth and then fitted a crown. About 3 months later I developed a lump up in my gum, so I went back to the dentist who gave me antibiotics and who told me that it would go. It wasnt painful. And it never went. And I never went back to the dentist. Two years ago I developed an abcess on this tooth and was prescribed some antibiotics which cleared it up. I was meant to go back but as I am absolutley terrified of the dentist, I chose not too. Since then I had another abcess on the same tooth and my face became really swollen etc. I once again was prescribed a course of antibiotics and never went back to the dentist. What my dentist wants to do is remove the crown and remaining tooth and replace it with a denture – which – for some reason – I do not have a problem with. However, my main fear is that something bad will happen. I dont know what exactly, but im just so terrified. My tooth starts to hurt when its cold also. Is there a worse case scenario here? If I do get it removed, is part of my jaw bone likely to come away or something?? Thanks.
Dr Rob Tennet
St Johns Dental Practice 18 Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham, B2 5QJ Web: www.e-dentalpractice.co.uk