Q. Unfortunately I had a fall in August and knocked my front teeth. The tooth to my right of my front teeth is a crown fitted to a post and my dentist says I have fractured a nerve here. Consequently I have had an abcess and severe pain since early September. The tooth needs to be extracted. My dentist has referred me to an implant specialist but I am a dental phobic – and because I am already in pain I am frightened of the drilling involved with the implant. The alternatives ie. bridges, dentures etc, although cheaper, all seem to have their problems. Can you advise me? As the tooth is so important to my smile etc (I am 53 years old)