UNUSUAL MEDICAL FINDING

UNUSUAL MEDICAL FINDING

After suffering from a severe toothache, fibrous material was found under the gum line between two teeth. After repeated attempts at locating the origin of the pain, a dental assistant used a dental needle and revealed a source of pain between these two teeth. Eventually two small but visible fibers were removed from this area of pain. Some time and effort were expended under the microscope to analyze those fibers. Ultimately, the benefit of doubt was given to assume it was most likely of a natural origin or from the use of a toothbrush. At a later date, a visible mass eventually appeared at the base of the two teeth mentioned. The size and solid form of the material did appear to be unusual at that point, and it was subsequently collected for observation and analysis. The mass is approximately 1.5mm in diameter, and appears to be of biological origin due to the reddish color. The most striking characteristic of the material is that it appears to be composed primarily of filaments. Most of these fibers are of a transparent nature, and are difficult to photograph adequately under low power. The fibers that can be seen appear to number on the order of thousands to scores of thousands. It remains unclear at this point whether this mass of filamentous material is of biological or synthetic origin.