1 month following root canal it hurts to chew hard things, sensitive to touch. What options do I have to treat this?

Sounds like you may need a re-treat root canal or possibly a fracture of the tooth.  I would highly recommend that you see a dentist ASAP, so that your tooth can be saved.  Not having dental insurance is really not that big of a deal, because dental insurance usually only pays the 50% of the first $2000.  This means that the most that insurance will cover is usually only $1000 to $1500 per patient, after you have nearly matched the insurance payments with your own money.  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMDHere's the truth about dental insurance:Dental Insurance is capped at a yearly maximum. For about all policies this is $1,000-$2,000 per year. It has been this way since the 1960's.Dental Benefits paid for procedures vary greatly from company to company and even policy types within companies. It becomes a function of what your individual employer is willing to pay for. This is why it is very difficult for you and your neighbors to compare coverage "over the fence."It's best and most effective use for most consumer is as a maintenance tool. It would be like you getting your oil changes paid for or most paid for, but major maintenance on your car is an out of pocket expense.Some dental insurance policies give you the choice to see who you would like. Others give you a list to follow. By and large if you are restricted to a list the relationship with your dentist will be minimal at best.Your dental insurance company will likely try to influence your decision about dental care you receive. Many times clerks who are giving you information have less dental knowledge than you. Yet they will give you opinions that should come from your dentist. Find a dentist who treats you like they would a family member and listen to them. You will win in the end.Never base your dental appointment frequency on whether you have insurance. Keeping consistent hygiene maintenance appointments will save dollars and your smile in the long run.

There are a few things that can be causing your discomfort following the root canal. Since it was done recently, it may be that your bite needs adjusted. If you're biting too heavy on that tooth, it can cause discomfort in the ligament around the tooth (called the PDL). Another possibility is that if you wear a nightguard, the pressure from grinding and clenching can irritate the tooth. In this case, your nightguard may need to be adjusted to relieve pressure on the tooth. Along with that, I would try a 10-day regimen of ibuprofen too help with any inflammation in the PDL. Lastly, worst case scenario, is that the tooth is cracked somewhere, causing leakage of the root canal and discomfort which will likely only worsen. 
Regardless, I would go back to the dentist with your nightguard to see if it or the crown needs adjusted and try 10 days of ibuprofen. If your symptoms persist or worsen, you may want to consider seeing the endodontist again to have them take a CBCT (3D xray) to determine if the tooth is cracked and needs extracted.

Many times immediately after a root canal, the tooth can still have sensitivity to touch or bite. This can be due to the fact the tooth still has some swelling and/or bruising at the tip of the root. This usually subsides within 3-5 days. Another cause could be clenching or grinding that may occur during sleep that puts more stress upon a tooth causing tenderness although the nerve is removed. Lastly, if the tooth discomfort still persists, there may be a small crack running down the tooth. If this is the case, the pain will gradually get worse ultimately needing to be extracted. I would consult with your dental provider and suggest taking a CBCT of that tooth to further investigate why the tooth is still uncomfortable. Unlike a regular X-ray, a CBCT will show you many different views including a 3 dimensional one to better identify.

Hi:
Most likely the bite has to be adjusted and make sure there is no grinding or clenching pressure on the crown as well.  Please go back to your dentist right away to check he bite.
Best,
Dr. Maddahi

Hello and thank you for your question. Please consider going back to the dentist and letting him check the area. There may be multiple reasons for the discomfort. He will take an xray and have more information to properly diagnose without speculation. It is considered a post surgical care and, at least in my practice, there is no charge for this service.

Well firstly I would look at the
possibility of a crack or fracture in the tooth. This could be the reason why
you’re experiencing pain when chewing. Another possible scenario could be a
failing root canal where the particular root canal had been missed or the
canals hadn’t been cleaned thoroughly and you could be possibly be getting a
reinfection of the canal space. So the most logical thing to do would be to go
back to your treating dentist and to assess these 2 possible scenarios.



You could take a radiograph but it is probably too
early to notice or recognize any changes if it’s only been two months. I would
get him to probe and check the gum. This can show if there is a fracture
at a particular point of one of the roots. I hope this helps.

It is possible that either the root canal did not take care of the problem in its entirety, or more likely that the tooth/root under the crown has fractured.Antibiotics will not solve either of these problems.You would first need to have a proper diagnosis on why you are having the pain, and what options your dentist recommends to correct your problem.  No dentist could answer this without actually seeing and examining you and having a current (new) x-ray of your tooth.  If you dental insurance has been used up, you could certainly have the treatment necessary to rid you of your pain.  However, you would have to pay for the services completely out of pocket.  Most dental insurances only pay a portion of restorative dentistry anyway, and not the entire treatment.How much money is not having pain worth to you?

I would suggest a follow up appointment with the dentist who performed the root canal procedure. Sometimes sharp pain to chewing can mean the root is cracked. It may also mean that you are biting with too much force on this tooth and you need the bite adjusted. Sometimes there are additional spaces (canals)  in the roots that are not detected during initial treatment and follow up treatment may be needed to address these areas.

It is not unusual for a tooth to hurt a little immediately following root canal therapy, but that should be gone by now if all went well.  Assuming the bite is correct on the restoration that filled the openeing they made in your crown, there are a few different things that might be going on.  Unfortunately you will have to be seen by the your dentist dentist again or get a second opinion to determine if something is wrong.

It sounds as if you may have a fractured root in which case the tooth would most likely require extraction. Should finances be an issue you could have the tooth extracted and wait until your insurance kicks in again and then decide whether an implant or bridge would be the most appropriate choice for replacing the tooth.