I was diagnosed in 2020 with Ameloblastoma which is a aggressive benign tumour which grows inside the jaw. You can live with this potential deadly disease unless its detected.  I was referred to my dentist after a long period of absence and told that I had what looked like a cyst. I was offered an x ray at the time but would need a referral to determine better diagnosis.  I eventually ended up having a biopsy to remove a bit of the growth but this lead to insufficient amount to analyse, so I was admitted to day surgery and had further extractions and a larger piece of my jaw bone taken for my second biopsy. In January I was informed that it was in fact a tumour that had eaten away at my jaw and needed taking out. I then was told I would need my entire lower jaw and all my teeth on the lower set removed to make sure the margins were right to get it all. That was 11 weeks ago but although my operation to remove the Tumour was successfull, the operation to rebuild my jaw wasnt. The tumour was benign but if not removed in one go it can return , spread and become malignant. I dont want anybody to go through what I've been through. If people attending the dentist are offered an x ray at the time of their check up then we may dramatically change the numbers of cases developing from Ameloblastoma discovery. It can't be found without an XRAY.  

Dont go through what I did.

I now need further treatment to reconstruct my jaw. This has changed my life.

Darren Wilkinson.