Near 14 years ago, my dentist said
“You need a root canal,” and touched the spot:
“though nothing hurts, before this tooth is dead,
before the pain explodes. I kid you not.”
By then I understood my gum disease
(though I don’t own a perio diploma).
I saw my guy – he peers and disagrees,
and says “That’s actually a cementoma.”

I didn’t need that endodontic cure.
Since then I’ve undergone much gum repair,
extractions, implants, brushes, rinses, pills.
Now recent swelling makes my dentist sure
I need a root canal. Is this a flare
of gum disease? They have to run their drills.