Hi folks,

I've been doing some research and reading on the forums for the last few days. It's awesome that this site exists and I am glad I found it.

Here's my story so far:
I went it for a routine dental exam on Tuesday. My dentist found a spot on the x ray and referred me to an OS. The x rays were done by the type of machine where you are standing and the machine circles your head. I bring that up, because during my exam 6 months ago, when normal x rays were taken, my dentist said she thought she saw something and that we would do a bigger x ray on the next visit. The spot is directly below a root canal that I had close to 20 years ago.Within the last 2 years, my current dentist removed, repaired, and replaced the crown. She said the spot could have been there since the original root canal was performed, and that it did not appear larger than it did 6 months ago. On both visits, a cancer screen was done by my dentist. I dont have swollen lymph nodes,tumors that can be seen in my mouth, etc. I am not exhibiting any other symptoms though both my ears are a little clogged. They have been this way for some while though, a few months after some wax removal. I also spend a lot of time in the water and do some work as a disc jockey, where I have been listening to music at high sound pressure levels through head phones and montiors for years. I am hoping that these are the contributing factors at this point. Oh, I am 40, used to smoke (have had 1 on ocassion over the last few years) and moderate drinker. I am hopeful this is just some scar tissue or benign tumor. Does anyone know if these situations are plausible?

I made an appoinment with the OS and was given a 3/31 appointment date. After reading some of the posts on here, especially about taking your health in your own hands, I called the OS back today and clarified that I was referred because I was a cancer suspect. My appointment was moved to 3/3, which I am happy about. I just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you for the information and inspiration, even though I am not yet a patient.

Joe

I had a tooth, with a root canal, develop a crack in the root and it caused a fisula near the bottom of the tooth. It showed up on the x-ray. Maybe there is a simpler solution than cancer.
The swelling and ear clogging may not be related. Most OC's have no symptoms. Still a good idea to have it checked out.

Hi Gary,

Ironically,I was reading about fisulas earlier today. It's good to hear from someone that confirms it is a possibility. I put some ear drops in my ear this morning and the clogging disappeared. I think it's unrelated, but I'm sure you understand how one's mind can make something fit a mold if it wants to. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and hope all is well with you.

Joe, welcome to OCF. Sure hope you dont need us. Glad to see that you got your appointment moved up with a simple phone call. Sometimes its that easy, just ask. If you dont ask you dont get! Best of luck next week, let us know how the biopsy turns out.

Hi Joe,

Welcome to OCF...hopefully you will be here for a short time. Good luck at your appointment and let us know how it goes.

Hopefully you don't have to stick around for too long. Hopefully it's just a scar from a root canal issue or something! Being that I am a cancer patient, I have to watch everything closely.
I know they botched my root canal and something showed up but they biopsied and it came back as normal bone, no issues!
Hopefully you get good news and I am glad your appointment was bumped up!

Hi Joe,
We know how scary it can be and just how easy that is. When I was first noticing subtle symptoms, slight hoarseness, sensation of something caught in my throat, I was sure that it was a Peritonsilar Abcess (PTA). A dentist in my AA group asked me if there was any pain and I said no and she said that is bad. Shortly thereafter I made an appointment with an ENT (I had been seeing various doctors to attempt to get a medical solution but obviously, they were not qualified and that includes a GP [X2] and oral surgeon , my dental hygenist and dentist). While I was doing the research on PTA, I found images that looked like my tumor - but - there was one site that I went to that had an oral cancer with graphic photos of a radical neck disection. When I finally saw the ENT I was in fear of them sticking a needle in it to lance and drain it. Within 15 seconds the ENT told me I had a highly advanced tonsil cancer and the prognosis wasn't good. My brain IMMEDIATELY went back to the link with the graphic images of the RND and I passed out. Fortunately his prognosis was incorrect and I am cancer free today. Most of us went through an extended period of fear from this. I don't think you would be human if you didn't. But, as has been said here many times, "it ain't cancer until the pathology report says so".

My root canal was very old too - the tooth just cracked and that was all it took for an infection to get going (at the base of the root) and then the fisula. There was no (or minimal) pain to speak of, especially after the fistula started draining the pus. A fistula is a normal body response to drain pus and infection when there are no other avenues for it.

Try not to get too freaked out and don't forget to breath.

Thank you everyone for the responses and great information. I'm cautiously optimistic about the outlook