Hi I am having some issues in my jaw and having a very difficult time even getting an oral surgeon or any dentist to listen to me about this particular debacle due to insurance issues and referral problems, and very limited provider network in my area. There are so many things going on, but I will limit my discussion to this particular problem:

Two years ago I had a lower left molar crack open and the pulp came bulging out of my tooth. I had that tooth extracted and during the process the surgeon noticed a mass down in the gun but he could not figure it out and sent me on my way when the tooth tested negative for any malignancy. I have been able to feel the mass for two years and eventually my wisdom tooth on that side adjacent to the extracted tooth became inflamed and severe pain followed (the worst besides natural labor of my children). I had the wisdom tooth extracted November 20, 2014. Relief!!! Hallelujah!!!! Then last week I noticed that where my wisdom tooth was there is now a giant relatively soft balloon of gum sticking out. It is getting larger and larger. It isn't painful like the wisdom tooth but makes it difficult to eat still. I also noticed the mass which was down in my jaw is gone. I think it has moved into the space where the wisdom tooth once was. I well not be going back to the dentist I had to go to to get the wisdom tooth extracted, it is in the middle of a drug infested ghetto of the city of Rochester and he was not someone I would trust again, it was the ONLY place within 3 hours of my home that would take my insurance without having to wait 2 more months.

What can be done for a cyst? I cannot afford to pay out of pocket and my insurance is horrendous. In March of 2015 I can get on my employers plan with Excellus BCBS and the dentists I have talked to in my area are contracted with them. I will most likely just wait it out. Has anyone heard of a cyst like this?

Welcome JeBrooks.

Thank you!

Hi JeBrooks,

Although this current situation may be serious and should be diagnosed and treated properly asap, I have a sense that you may have other dental problems as well. Would that be correct?

I know you want to avoid out of pocket expenses but dentists who run their business on insurance money generally do not provide the same quality care as those dentists who are in private practice. For one reason they cannot afford to because insurance benefits are very limited making the dentist use less expensive dental filling materials along with cutting corners on dental supplies fo rthings like sterilization, etc. For a second reason, insurance dentists depend on the insurance money for their living so they prescribe services that are only covered by the insurance irrelevant of whether they are in the best interest of the patient or not.

I believe it is very unfair for dentists to offer inferior services to anyone for any reason. I also feel the cost of private dentistry is unnecessarily expensive and often unaffordable for many people.

I cannot comment on the exact type or location of the cyst that you talk about just by your description. However, I can tell you that it needs attention by a qualified oral surgeon.

Waiting until March for your insurance to kick in may not be a wise decision and your dentistry will be self limiting as it has been in the past. I would suggest that you see if there is any way you could borrow money or find some other means of paying for a comprehensive consultation with an oral surgeon.

I wish you the best and hope that you are able to get this taken care of soon.

Bryanna

Thank you Bryanna! I fear you are correct about the insurance/dental fees and inferior service, discrimination. I wanted to add an update. About a week and a half ago the ever- ballooning cyst opened and a hard piece of what felt similar to bone tissue came out. It has been healing well since then. I understand the importance of getting to a proper oral surgeon. I will as soon as possible. Thank you for your help!

JeBrooks,

That could have a been a piece of tooth that was left in the bone from one of your extractions or a piece of the jaw bone that had splintered off during one of the extractions.

Either way, it would be wise to have a consult with a dentist and have a full mouth series of xrays (18-20) of your entire mouth.

Keep us posted.
Bryanna