How do I know if I need a root canal or is something else wrong?
The sensitive tooth had a very deep cavity that was close to or into the nerve The filling is transmitting temp into the deep area as it is still not healed up . At this stage the tooth is definitely alive as the cold is indicating. The tooth is still on the fence post and will either be ok (no more pain) or it will die (can’t bite on touch, tap, or do anything with that tooth) Maybe the only relief you would get is to constantly keep warm water on the tooth. Then a root canal would be needed. Instead of waiting it out, if it were me , I’d have the old filling removed and a temporary sedative filling placed in the tooth for a couple of weeks. If it calms down leave part of the filling in place and have it refilled with a permanent filling.
