Unexplained Pain in Tooth

I have recently been having an unexplained pain in one tooth. It would occur usually when i drank certain liquids, some soda or very hot coffee. I went to the dentist and he said he said the tooth looked fine but that an old filling might be lose and could be leaking. I got it replaced and continued having the same pain. Including a pain when I bet down that gradually went away. I went for two additional adjustments each time getting X-rays and they saw no infection or other problem and adjusted the filing down.  The pain continued and eventually the dentist suggested that perhaps there was an infection that was not observable and to get a root canal. I got a root canal almost 3 weeks ago and am still feeling an occasional ache in the tooth. It goes completely away if I take a small amount of Ibuprofen, however other NSAID's help but to a lower extent.  It still seems a little sensitive to soda's but not really coffee. It inst sensitive at all too biting or pressure.

I have gone back to the dentist and X-rays show that there is no new infection. The dentist said that the root-canal could have failed but it seems strange to me that nothing has had any effect and that if it was an infection it would respond so to an NSAID. Also I have not yet gotten a final restoration, (crown) the dentist said that because of the amount of tooth structure left (only was a small filing before procedure) that it was not an immediate need and I could wait till it stopped hurting. I have been waiting to see if it feels better before getting a crown in case I need an additional root canal or if nothing else have the tooth replaced with an implant.

Any suggestion on what my next step could be would be great. Could have been something simple like grinding my teeth at night or possibly sensitivity to a loss of enamel. Should I try a new dentist or some sort of specialist. Thanks for any help.

[lynn117]

sometime the pain feels like its coming from one tooth but the cause is really a different tooth. when you had the root canal was the nerve actually damaged or dying or did they remove a completely vital nerve just to try and stop your symptoms?  if you have a cracked tooth even one so small it doesnt appear on an xray it could be difficult to pin down exactly which tooth it is. get a second opinion before spending money on a second root canal!

[D729]

I will have to check to see if their was actual root damage after the first canal. They attempted to isolate the source of the pain before the filling and the root canal by applying pressure and tapping around the area. None of the surrounding teeth showed any sensitivity to the direct pressure or tapping. The ache feels localized to the area of the tooth. Also after the filing the tooth became sensitive to direct pressure and chewing for several weeks before slowly subsiding leaving just the ache. Prior to the root canal they performed x-rays on the surrounding teeth but also didn't see anything that indicated an infection. Only 1 other tooth on that side of my mouth has had any kind of restoration, it is adjacent to the tooth with pain but it had a small filing placed in it.

[scottma]

Tooth pain is not always dental origin, although most dental pains do come from cavities and gum disease. Assuming there is no dental pathology identified by your dentist other than the offending tooth, the possible causes of thermeal sensitivy and aching are 1.occlusal trauma resulting from occlusal interference. 2. referred pain from myofascial trigger point pathology. 3. central nervous system dysfunction. Occlusal interference is the most common culprit of dental ache which is commonly undiagnosed by clinician.Seeing a tmj specialist or prosthodontitist who is familiar with occlusal equilibration is advised.