I’m ecstatic that I didn’t need surgery, and totally grateful to Dr. Schwartz for his NMT skill.

I work as a dental assistant and am happy to share my personal NMT experience with an unusual dental condition.

On 2/12/07 I noticed that the roof of my mouth was tender. As I pressed on this tender spot just behind my front teeth, it popped and expressed some yellow/ green pus. I immediately came into my office and had x-rays taken of my front teeth and surrounding area. Vitality testing of the teeth proved them to be still vital. But the x-rays showed a large (size of a peanut) dark area between my front teeth. My dentist suggested that it could either be a maxillary palatal cyst or an infected secondary canal on tooth #8. He prescribed antibiotics and suggested that I go see an endodontist for a second opinion.

On 2/21/07 the endodontist took my history and examined the area. He tapped and wiggled my teeth but there was no sign of pain or mobility. He referred to my x-rays taken on 2/12/07 and then pulled out a reference book. He said that everything pointed to the diagnosis of a maxillary palatal cyst, which is apparently quite rare. Lucky me. He explained that bacteria somehow get lodged in little ducts in the palate and grow, and that I needed to see an oral surgeon to have it removed. Otherwise it would keep growing and continue to get infected. I left his office devastated. I think it was more scary for me because I knew what instruments were going to be used and the skill that it takes to remove the cyst.

Later that week, I visited Dr. Schwartz. Needless to say I was still really upset and stressed about the situation. He said that the surgery is always an option, but that a trial of NMT would be a good way to start. He explained the process to me and said that it may take several visits. I felt encouraged and ready to begin.

It wasn’t long after we began NMT that the area began to feel normal, but I waited until 5/30/07 to have a repeat x-ray taken of my front teeth area. I showed it to my dentist and the look on his face said it all. As he stared at the x-ray he exclaimed, “Wow, all the infection is gone and it’s healed completely”. I just smiled. My dentist is really conservative so it’s hard to talk with him about what happens with NMT. And that’s fine. I also find it hard to understand, but have grown to respect what your body, mind and NMT are capable of. I’m ecstatic that I didn’t need the surgery, and totally grateful to Dr. Schwartz for his NMT skill.

Lindsay S.