Root Canal?

I noticed this problem started Sunday. I got a filling replaced with composite. I'm pretty sure it was already a white filling because I called the insurance before my appointment and asked why they weren't covering at 80%- they said it was because they don't cover white fillings on back teeth and I remember complaining to my husband that the idea is to change to white not go back to silver. Anyhow, the dentist doesn't do silver fillings even if you wanted it. But back to the issue. I only got this particular tooth done because it was one of the teeth that was indicated as needing a new filling from minor cavities (not bad). Due to the added cost, I asked the team to do only the 2 most critical. Only one was most critical I guess (lower right), and the doc said it would be easier to do the two that are next to each other rather than having to come back to get numbed again. It took a really long time to get me numb enough for them to work on those two bottom teeth. So I said to go ahead and do the top one on the other side since I felt like it sort of bothered me (I couldn't pin point it, and afterward, no change). It was a large filling and it seemed like they did a lot of drilling especially compared to the other two. I asked about this once he was done with all 3 "was that a 'deeper' filling?" and he said "no, just different surfaces". Now, 3 weeks later, all of a sudden that top tooth (that didn't really need to be done) is hurting. Pain when biting anything crunchy. Then for dinner I ate a hot dish and OWW! Sharp pain from the pressure I guess of a crispy bite and then seemingly some sensitivity to heat... still aching after 45 minutes+. I'll call him tomorrow but now I have a feeling...root canal. I will also add that they were rushing (they close at 6 and I was still there at 6:30 with full chairs PLUS the doc had to meet another doc at 6:25 which was a pushed back meeting from 6ish and he didn't even want to do an extra requested exam for another patient because of the time constraint...I overheard the convo) so now I wonder about all of them being done properly and correctly. Now I wish I would have just left the one tooth alone.

[Gellia]

Hi,
It may be that your bite is off from the new fillings.  If you clench your teeth at all, esp. at night when you don't realize it, this can cause alot of pain.  
It's also possible that you're right and a root canal is in order.  Anytime a tooth gets a filling, esp. a large one, there can be trauma to the tooth nerve. This may resolve itself in time when it settles down or it may not.  White fillings also transmit heat easier so this may also contribute to your pain.

Your best bet would be to go back to your dentist and have the painful tooth xrayed.  If no infection can be seen, again it may just need to settle down but the reaction to heat is never a really good sign if it lasted as long as yours did.  
Hopefully, the pain will resolve itself.  If you can take ibuprofen that may help with any inflammation from the filling itself.

Good luck.  I hope you are pain free shortly.  
My best to you and let us know how you are.
Gellia