Mark,

please understand that I think you have described everything very well here! It is the lack of proper diagnosis from the dentists that you have seen before this current one that has been the problem. You have endured unnecessary dental treatment on a tooth that was decayed beyond repair. And you were told by one of them that the next tooth over needed a root canal when it turns out it does not. I just feel very badly for you and hope that you have now found an honest and competent dentist, because you really deserve it.

Please let us know how things go. I'm sure you will be fine.