April 2008:


- my dentist put a filling into the top of my back, bottom molar -- she noted that it was a pretty small filling

- the tooth didn't bother me at all prior to this

- a couple days later I started getting an acute, sharp pain when I chewed on that side


Several visits over the next two months:

- filling drilled to reduce pressure on the nerve


July 2008:

- she put a pain reducer on the tooth (it sat on it for five minutes or so)

- she had me start using fluoride after brushing because the dentin was exposed on the top of the tooth (from so much drilling away at the filling, no doubt!)


August 2008:

- acute pain when eating still, so she put in a medicated filling


September 2008:

- tooth still hurt when chewing on that tooth, so she recommended a specialist to check on a root canal

- he did pressure and temperature tests which proved to be inconclusive -- he was perplexed that I only have pain on the top surface of the tooth (where the filling is)

- he didn't see any hairline fractures or anything like that

- he said to come back in a month or so to see if it is better


January 2009:

- I still can't eat on that side, though it appears only to be pressure sensitive (I don't notice that tooth being any different than the others as far as heat or cold)

- I am tentative about a root canal unless it really is necessary

- I wonder if my dentist just did a bad job with the filling and someone else could do a better job (or if it is too late?) but don't want to waste money or make my tooth worse


Being someone who takes excellent care of her teeth, and had no issues with this tooth before the dentist got a hold of it, I am not loving this! Any advise or ideas are welcome!

I would seek the opinion of another dentist. It seems like a long time to me for you to be having pain. Choose a dentist that has no ties to your current dentist and ask them to check it out. Good luck

Hi
I am going through the same problem. Had a filling on a top back molar and it was all downhill from there. I ended up having a root canal after a filling, filling removal and a temp. medicated filling, I am STILL in pain even after the root canal. Neither the dentist or the endodontist really know why I'm in pain. I'm at my wits end too. A lot of money and inconvience and still in pain, pain, pain.
I am now also considering another opinion... even though two dentist don't know why I'm in pain... I can't chew on it at all. Its been approx. one month since the root canal too. Good luck...

My wife is going through the same. Little pain to cold. So the dentist grinded the side and filled it. Then he re-did the filling after she said she was in more pain. Now he says she needs a root canal even though the x-ray shows no problem. We do not know what to do.