A few months ago I visited the dentist and had a large filling in an upper molar. The injection hurt me a great deal which I thought strange as I have never had that kind of pain before. Since then I have developed a hard lump on the gum above the tooth where it joins the cheek. It is very hard, like bone, and it hurts the nerve of the tooth when I press my finger against it.

My dentist prescribed pencillin which I took for seven days, and which did not reduce the lump in the slightest. Since then I have been feeling dizzy and sick and generally a feeling of being "unwell". The lump is the same.

I went back to the dentist today and she sought a second opinion from a fellow dentist. After seeing my Xrays the recommendation was to seek help at the hospital. They said that they could see what looked like a cyst and extra bone growing. They also mentioned a chronic infection could be excapsulated and therefore not responding to antibiotics.

Could this be cancer? What are the symptoms of cancer of this type? I would appreciate all the help you can give me.

Many thanks in advance.

Kind Regards
Karen

Hello Karen

It could be a bone exostoses or a bone reaction to a chronic infection (e.g. cyst related to a non-vital tooth that has a large filling). It is unlikely to be a cancer so stop worrying but see the specialist for the second opinion. Only worry and expedite the appointment if the swelling grows rapidly over the next few weeks! Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thank you so much for the super quick reply. Although similar the picture of the "Bone exostoses" is not the same. The lump I have is softer looking in appearance, although it is very hard, and higher up. I forgot to mention that a smaller secondary lump seems to have appeared within the last week or so. This lump is situated immidiately above the tooth but below the main lump - there is a bit of "normal gum" between them.

Anyway, you have put my mind at rest and I wont worry but just wait for my hospital appointment at Kings.

Many thanks again.

Kind Regards
Karen