I had a root canal yesterday on the only bottom back tooth I have left. The back 2 corners closest to my jaw are unbelievably sensitive even to the touch, but the front 2 corners of the tooth are fine. I understand I will have the pain since it was just yesterday, but don't understand why the back half of the tooth sends me through the roof when I touch it, & the front half doesn't. I just want some kind of relief from the pain hopefully soon...

Did the dentist prescribe pain meds? There still may be part of a nerve in there. Tell the dentist who did the work.

Thank you for your feedback Wondergirl ~ yes, he did prescribe pain med which I can only take when I'm not at work due to it making me so drowsy. I have been taking an antibiotic every 6 hrs now for the past week almost, hoping this will help also if there was an infection. I am going to give it another day or two & if the pain still persists, I will call my dentist most definitely. It seems slightly better to touch this morning as opposed to yesterday. I am way past ready for some kind of pain relief, & I will only take pain med as a last resort.

Did the dentist prescribe pain meds? There still may be part of a nerve in there. Tell the dentist who did the work.

There can't be ANY nerve left after root canal, if all 4 roots of the molar are removed

There can't be ANY nerve left after root canal, if all 4 roots of the molar are removed
IF all the roots were removed.

I understand what you're saying tickle & I agree. To me if each canal was completely 100% cleaned out - I shouldn't feel anything at all. It's been such a painful experience for the past 2 weeks consistently that I'll settle for slight pain now & again as opposed to the continuous dull, achy at times- sharp pain I was feeling. The worst pain now is when I accidentally bite down on something. Other than that, I'm feeling much better than I have in two weeks. But then again my thinking is- if all the nerves were taken out, I wouldn't feel anything- even when I bite down on something...

IF all the roots were removed.

The nerve is in the 'pulp' of the tooth, all comprise the root. All is 'scraped' out with an implement, cleaned and replaced with a gum material called 'gutta purcha'.

I understand what you're saying tickle & I agree. To me if each canal was completely 100% cleaned out - I shouldn't feel anything at all. It's been such a painful experience for the past 2 wks consistently that i'll settle for slight pain now & again as opposed to the continuous dull, achy at times- sharp pain I was feeling. The worst pain now is when I accidentally bite down on something. Other than that, i'm feeling much better than I have in two weeks. But then again my thinking is- if all the nerves were taken out, I wouldn't feel anything- even when I bite down on something....

You need to have the occlusion adjusted. The pain is coming because you have an uneven bite.

There is no possible way nerves can be left in. The nerve is a pulpy material so therefore not difficult to get out.

Go back and have your bite adjusted.

Thank you - good to know. I will mention this to my dentist when I go Tuesday for the permanent crown. =)

Thank you - good to know. I will mention this to my dentist when i go tuesday for the permanent crown. =)
After the permanent crown is in place, it is standard procedure to adjust the occlusion. You may have some discomfort after the crown is settling in. That is normal.

So that means he will have to grind on the tooth again? If that's the case, I am sooo not looking forward to the visit. Something about the sound / taste / smell of the grinding just makes me nervous & slightly nauseous as heck! One things for sure - I will be so glad when this is all over, & never want to have this issue again. Thank you again for your feedback, you have been very helpful. =)

So that means he will have to grind on the tooth again? If that's the case, i am sooo not looking forward to the visit. Something about the sound / taste / smell of the grinding just makes me nervous & slightly nauseous as heck! One things for sure - i will be so glad when this is all over, & never want to have this issue again. Thank you again for your feedback, you have been very helpful. =)

No, not grind on your real tooth, or stub, but on the crown. The crown is custom fitted to your tooth, but the actual surface area is not, and must be made to fit the bite from the top.

Good luck, good choice!