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Problems Post Root Canal

Years ago, had teeth capped (31 & 32).  Several years ago, started to have sensitivity in 31 and had an x-ray. Dentist said I had some bone loss and put me on prescription flouride toothpaste--pain went away and later x-ray indicated bone built back up .  A month ago, I forgot the toothpaste when I went on week vacation and started to have pain.  When got home, I started using the toothpaste again but it didn't help and pain got progressively worse. Dentist did root canal on 31 but during the numbing shot, he asked me if I had felt an electric shock sensation in my tongue but I was so numb I didn't feel anything. Canal went fine although he said it looked "angry" and bled a lot.

Had lots of pain and some swelling during recovery including severe tenderness in soft spot under my chin on that side.  Also, tooth 32 was very painful to the touch even though it had no such pain before the procedure.  Tooth 32 pain improved for awhile but now hasn't improved in past week.  It isn't the sharp pain when tapped by the dentist that I had a few days after the canal but it has a dull ache when chewing and I need to take Advil before eating full meals.  I also have weird other pain in other places on my jaw like sometimes it feels like an earache, pain in my jaw muscle, and sometimes aching in my gums near teeth 26/27.  My dentist is saying to wait ("tincture of time") but it really doesn't seem to be improving.  He is saying he will do another root canal on 32 if needed but I'm afraid there may be other things going on (nerve damage from the shot, other problems under the caps, why the bone loss before, etc).  

Should I just wait it out?  If I wanted a second opinion, what type of doctor should I see?  An endontist? Oral surgeon?  Thanks in advance for your answer.
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Avatar universal
Thank you, Scottma, for advice.  Pain has gotten worse in last 2 days so dentist wants me to at least consult with an endo first.  If that consult doesn't make sense, then I will go to orofacial pain spec.  Will update post on results.
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
Seeing an Orofacial pain specialist is advised.
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