Welcome @charlesvalley!
I went to the dentist about 1 year prior to my diagnosis for normal cleaning and xrays. At the time, I mentioned some sensitivity to very hot or very cold foods, but was told to come back if it bothered me. Not really sure there was anything unusual on xray at that time, or if there was, the dentist didn't catch it. About a year later, I started experiencing really bad pain in that area with extreme hot or cold foods. Another dentist at the same practice took a panoramic xray and caught the radiolucency then. I was referred to the specialist. After waiting about a month to get in to see him, the specialist did his own imaging. He suggested that it was likely growing for a long time and had just recently begun pushing on the nerve below it. Obviously, the jaw was also expanding in both directions, but not quickly, so I didn't really pay any attention. At the specialist's recommendation, we did surgery to remove it and sent it for pathology. Pathology confirmed ameloblastoma, follicular type. He also did a bone graft to replace what had been displaced by the tumor. As I understand it, this was the conservative approach. The risk in doing the conservative treatment is that he may not have gotten it all. So, I'll be monitored frequently to watch for any reccurence. If it comes back, I've been told that I'd be referred to an oncologist. To date, I don't have any pain, though the teeth are still somewhat loose in that area. I'm supposed to return for another xray in October. I hope this gives you some insight into my journey and maybe even some hope that your own might not be as bad as the stories you've read!