gum/tooth absess

[sweet Justice]

I noticed last night that Justice has a bump above his left fang tooth. The area is pink and hard tho his gums are mostly dark elsewhere. On closer inspection I found a small black spot at the very top (gum line) of the tooth also. I phoned the vet and they are squeezing me in for an exam in the morning tomorrow and possible surgery in the afternoon if it is infected. I'm guessing there is a good chance he'll lose that tooth? Or do they drill and fill?
He is a rescue (6 1/2 years old approx. and just 3 weeks in our home) and I have found that his top center teeth are completely missing and the next two out are broken. He also has sensitive front paws to touch or trim nails and I wonder if he came out of the back of a truck at one time. That fang might have been cracked or broken then? He isn't sensitive to hand motion (I talk with my hands A LOT) so I doubt he was hit with anything.
I sure want to get it corrected before it becomes painful and he gets angry!
Anyone had good luck with dental problems?

[Rott-Wiley]

Unfortunately most dental problems are solved by removal of the tooth. Seems like you already are going about fixing any problem he has. Let us know how you make out at his appointment tomorrow.

[sweet Justice]

It is a "whew" moment. The bump is not an infection but an epulus mass. During the exam we noticed a different tooth being grayish (so it is dead) as well as another with a broken end. He must of taken a nasty fall or ???
On the extemely bright side, he had zero worries about being in the vet clinic and immediately took to the vet who responded after the complete exam by saying "how could someone have done that (abandoned him) to this dog? He is amazing". Proud moment. We were also able to get some possible info from his tattoo as to a clinic that might know him in Langley, BC.
Anyway, we will take a digital photo of it and try to measure the bump with some calipers and keep an eye on it.
BTW, Justice was thrillled to come home and find breakfast!