What you are experiencing is 100% normal. I advise all of my patients upon completion of endodontic therapy to expect the time period between 48 and 72 hours to be the peak of discomfort and that discomfort is going to be to biting and pressure. I advise them they will most likely avoid chewing on this side for a while. How long is a while? Everybody is different. I once had a root canal on myself and it took 4 months before I was completely unaware of the tooth. Additionally, I point out that this does not mean that the discomfort magically dissipates after the 72 hours, that is simply when the inflammatory process is at its peak. It has to do with the was we heal, the release of certain inflammatory mediators called prostaglandins and the resultant buildup of lactic acid. For this reason, I advise all of my patients who are able to take nonsteroidal antiflammatory medications to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hrs for the 48 hrs following therapy then as needed beyond that. The purpose of the Ibuprofen is not for pain control, although it helps, but to reduce prostaglandin production, thereby reducing the inflammation in the area. An antibiotic is ONLY indicated if you have fever or tenderness in the lymph nodes, indicating systemic infection. We dentists are notorious for overprescribing antibiotics when there is absolutely no evidence based reason for which to do so. A couple of additional things to add: If you feel that your bite is "high" and you are hitting this tooth first, then disregard everything I just said and go see your dentist as soon as possible. This area will most likely remain inflamed until the bite is corrected. Secondly, quit tapping on the tooth with your finger; that is an unnatural force upon the tooth, and I have repeatedly seen healthy, perfectly functioning endodontically treated teeth that have been in the mouth for months or years that "only hurt when I tap on it" I tell them to quit tapping on it.

Ronald S. Wright Jr.