I am having some trouble with my 1st molar on my lower left jaw, (#19 I believe) and am hoping someone here may be able to clarify a few things or share their experience if they have been in a similar situation. People on here are fantastic and I thank anyone in advance for reading or replying.

I have had pain in that tooth for about 10 days now, last week I went into the dentist with the pain and she performed a bite adjustment on that tooth after not visually seeing any decay and testing sensitivity to cold. I should mention that the morning I went into the dentist, I had some slight sensitivity to my coffee. The tooth does have a filling that was done about 8 years ago, and I thought I saw a small hole on the side of it, but the dentist said it was a stain. I had a tooth extraction on the other side of my mouth in October 2014 and am wondering if that would have thrown off my bite so much I had to have an adjustment done on the other side?

It's now been 6 days since I have had the bite adjustment and am still in quite a bit of pain. It isn't noticeably sensitive to hot or cold, just when there is contact or I bite down - however I don't associate this with the same pain as needing a bite adjustment - it is sore all the time now. It is similar to the pain I felt in the infected tooth before I had a root canal then after that failed, extraction. It's hard to describe, but most of the time it feels very tight around the tooth.

I made an appointment to see the same dentist tomorrow and will request to have x-rays done. At the end of my last appointment, the dentist told me that if the tooth is bothering me, she will likely have to end up performing a root canal since there doesn't seem to be any decay or other reason for it to be bothering me. So a couple questions here.. From my experience with my first tooth that became infected, I went with the dentist's advice about saving the tooth and tried the root canal. That failed and ended up having to extract. So from that, if this tooth ends up really having infection which I suspect it might, should I forget the root canal and extract? At what time is a root canal helpful?

I really don't want to waste my time or money but I don't want to lose another tooth again either. I will if I have to though and I'd rather just get it out than hang on to it after the hell I went through and am still going through with the previous extraction. It is just downright embarrassing and sad that I am in such poor oral health. I take care of my teeth, I always have since my parents have had many oral issues as well and I'm not sure why in the past year it has all the sudden gone so downhill. I'm young, 25, in good fit health according to the doctor and this is just defeating.

And since I am already asking a couple questions, here's one more. If I end up having to have this tooth extracted, I will have to put a bridge in on at least one side of my mouth since there would be the same molar missing on both sides. The reason I haven't had one put in on the extraction from October 2014 is because I'm still experiencing pain on that side too and the dentist said there is still quite a big hole/bone missing and to let it grow in. I've tried to ask a different dentist before on clarity on what exactly a bridge does, as in, is it damaging to the teeth on either side of the extraction? I suppose I am just trying to weigh the benefits and cons.

Thanks in advance.

I went to the dentist today and sure enough, my tooth root is indeed inflamed and likely infected. It is not the tooth I thought it was though, it is my very back molar on my bottom left jaw. I will attach a photocopy of the x-ray below and highlight the area the dentist is concerned with (apparently I can't upload the image until I post 10 times, so will get to that and post the pic).

I have been referred to an endodontist/periodontist for a consultation for root canal March 2nd. I have been given Amoxicillin 500mg to take, which I will be taking with probiotics since this is at least my 6th time on antibiotics in the past year (all tooth related issues).

I'm hoping someone may have a little insight in to the situation with this tooth.. I'm hesitant to get the root canal done because not only is cost a huge factor for me, but I just had a root canal fail a couple months ago and ended up having to extract that other tooth anyway. Since the tooth is infected, would the wisest decision be to not bother with root canal and extract? My reasoning is I don't want to try to hang onto an infected tooth ; I tried that for almost a year with my previous tooth issue and almost ended up losing my job because I was so sick all the time. Would it be wise to keep my money from my root canal, have the extraction performed and have it replaced whether that be implant or bridge or should I try everything I can to save it?

Oh and one more thing. I could have sworn it was my second last molar that was the issue, not the very last one. When the dentist was tapping both teeth, the second molar felt "hollow" to me. I let the dentist know that but she didn't seem too concerned. As I'm looking at my x-ray closer now, I think I see a bit of black underneath the root of that tooth as well. Please someone tell me I'm just freaking myself out!