Hello this story may be a little long but if anybody has the patience to read it and offer some help I'd really appreciate it.

Its been over a month since I had a root canal and am still experiencing pain and/or discomfort in the tooth and one next to it. The pain still is on my face, my ear and sometimes up the side of my head.

The endodontist put me on antibiotic and another pill which she said was a form of steriod to relax the muscle in my face because I had tremendous pressure on one side of my face.

It seemed to help a little, but after I was through with the antibiotic for a few days it began to act up again. She re-prescribed the same medication and it began to feel better again... but is still sore. I went back to my regular dentist yesterday to have it perm. Filled and to begin the "crown" process but he said because I am still in pain he didn't want to replace the filling just yet. But he also has no idea why I'm in pain. The endodontist attributes it to grinding and said if the pain persists that I should go to a facial pain management specialist. The dentist said I'm not grinding because the endodontist filed the tooth very small, and he said maybe its my sinus. Mind you I have never had any issues with either... ever. It all started when he took out an old filling... then the nightmare began. He told me to come back when the pain is gone... excuse me? Why am I in pain to begin with? Nobody can really give me a straight answer. He said to let the tooth settle down... I told him it and the tooth behind it hurt when I bite down on anything. I haven't been chewing on that side but every now and then the food slips over to that side and... ouch! So there is something wrong somewhere. But both the dentist and the endodontist have seemed to wash their hands from the situation and after all the money I have paid them both... I'm left with a sore root canaled back tooth with a temp. filling still in it and a sore tooth behind it... and I might mention that the tooth across from it is cracked, which I guess happened when he re-filled it... so he said to be careful on that one too. I told him I have nowhere to chew. He said "well you have to chew". Tell me about it... what should I do... why would I still be in pain? Anybody have any ideas??

Going crazy... and eating advils like candy...

Perhaps it's time to consider having that tooth removed?

Why do you think I should consider having the tooth removed? What could be wrong? Is it possible that the one behind it also needs a root canal.
I'd hate to have it pulled after all the work done on it... and after all the $$$$$$ spent on it as well?

Why don't you have a night guard made? If you are stressed you are probably clenching/grinding your teeth while you sleep?

Has the dentist checked your bite? It sounds like you have a filling or possibly the new crown itself that might be high. If you've had a lot of dental work done in the past few years your bite could be way off and you may need a complete occlusal equilibration.

If the pain is driving you mad and no one can give you answers then you may have to resort to having the tooth removed.

I haven't had the crown put on yet. The temporary filling is still in the tooth that the endodontist put it after the root canal. My dentist didn't want to proceed with any of that yet because it's still hurting. He told me to come back when the pain went away. Also told me I'm not grinding because the endodontist filed it down so low that I can't be grinding it. The only dental work I've had done since the spring was root scaling, the tooth/teeth filling and a cleaning. And obviously, the root canal and temp. fillings. That's it. It has a very slight throb but like I said , if I should chew any kind of food, even soft, it hurts.
The endodontist filed a couple of other teeth and said the bite was fine.


I should have just had it pulled to begin with . But to think this all began with a replacement filling. I was absolutely fine before that...