Tooth is sensitive to hot and cold and hurts to clench months after filling (pain, dentist)

[Directormandrew]

A few months ago I had discomfort in my upper left second molar, so I went to my dentist and they said I had a small cavity. The dentist also took X-rays and said there was nothing there of concern. They filled it and after two weeks I still had slight discomfort in the tooth. I went back to the dentist and they told me it was pulpitis and that the pain should go away in a few weeks. About a month and a half went by with no pain until about a week ago where I started feeling very sensitive to hot and cold drinks/food and pain when I bite down hard once again. I am wondering if this sounds like I will need a root canal or if it could be a crack in the filling exposing the nerve. I am going to go back to the dentist, but I would like a second opinion on what it could be. Thank you

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Directormandrew

A few months ago I had discomfort in my upper left second molar, so I went to my dentist and they said I had a small cavity. The dentist also took X-rays and said there was nothing there of concern. They filled it and after two weeks I still had slight discomfort in the tooth. I went back to the dentist and they told me it was pulpitis and that the pain should go away in a few weeks. About a month and a half went by with no pain until about a week ago where I started feeling very sensitive to hot and cold drinks/food and pain when I bite down hard once again. I am wondering if this sounds like I will need a root canal or if it could be a crack in the filling exposing the nerve. I am going to go back to the dentist, but I would like a second opinion on what it could be. Thank you

Do you want a second "opinion" from a dentist who sees you in person or an "opinion" from a bunch of strangers on an anonymous web forum who can't see you in person? There are a couple of members here who happen to be dentists but they may also recommend seeing a second one before deciding what is needed.

[Crazy4Chickens]

I had a filling done and afterward I had major discomfort when drinking hot and cold liquids. I tried waiting it out a few weeks to see if my tooth pain would go away, but it did not. I finally got into see my dentist and after examination and x-rays he determined I needed a root canal. After I had the root canal my tooth has been fine with hot and cold items. Definitely get yourself into the dentist again, chances are you might need a root canal.

[BijouBaby]

Sounds like classic symptoms of needing a root canal & crown. I've had root canals and it always started with what you describe - hot/cold sensitivity, and/or pain when biting down. There has been one than more cause that resulted in having to get a root canal. Once it was an attempt to replace an old filling and in the process, the tooth cracked - which wasn't realized at the time. But within a couple of weeks, the tooth became cold sensitive and there was pain chewing. Went back to the dentist where the hairline crack was covered and was sent to the oral surgeon for a root canal. Now I never mess with old fillings. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Sorry to say that it sounds like root canal and crown may be in your future - just from what you describe.