I have to say something that might not be popular, but an experience nonetheless. My dad had been to the dentist at least 5 times, over an impacted tooth. The dentist did xrays, gave him painkillers, and sent him home. Finally, after at least 3 years (maybe more) of dealing with this, he had moved to a new city. He had the same impacted tooth problem, and went to a different dentist in a different city, and voila, it's squamous cell carcinoma (forgive my spelling). He ended up having half of his upper jaw removed, and now lives with a prosthesis that covers the nasal cavity in the roof of his mouth. He has been cancer free for awhile now, but it could have been much less radical if the FIRST or SECOND trip to the dentist had produced the correct results. Are you seeing the same dentist over and over? Perhaps a second opinion? I'm just being objective. It's a scary prospect, but early detection is paramount. I'm not saying it is cancer, but damn, don't you wanna make sure your dentist is right? I'm not trying to freak you out, but think about a second opinion, or a third, or a fourth. It took 3 dentists to get the correct diagnosis for my dad. Just some thoughts!