If the filling was close to the tooths nerve then it is not uncommon to have some measure of discomfort for up to a week or so after the procedure.

However two things concern me:

1. Most dentists will always check the height/bite fit of a new filling before you you leave the surgery. So you should not have been left with the uneven filling in the first place.

2. If the dentist was concerned about the tooth needing a root canal, he/she should have taken an x-ray of the tooth?. Was that done?

If the tooth in fact does need a root canal it would normally be done in a multi-step process thus avoiding an actual final outer filling until the tooth was fully settled.

If over the counter pain relief does not help or it becomes more of a problem I would visit another dentist.

Mike

thinks mike for the quick response.
yes, the dentist did perform an x-ray. He told me that if it got any worse that i would have needed a root canal.
he actually found 4 other "pinhole" cavities that I will have to take care of soon.
and
I did not notice that the bite felt uneven until after i allowed myself to bite into food. that's when I noticed that things were a tad off. That is the explanation that the dentist quickly gave me before i felt that I could fully get him to understand that the pain also struck without actually biting down. I went back to the dentist office because of the shooting pain that was occurring. and not, after the "fix up" the pain is more intense and occurring much more frequently ... I'm afraid to open my mouth, even smile because that sets off waves of pain.
oh. is it normal for the pain to hit without waring? I mean as I'm sitting here typing this email (mouth closed , without eating) I've experiences about 20 shots of pain.

I want to go into his office again today. I dope that he will not tell me that I will need a root canal.

I'm actually pretty afraid at this point and I never thought that I would have to still deal with this. .. i know that it's only been 2 days but I know the pain can last for , according to the dentist, up to 3 weeks. maybe I just need to sit tight and think positively and know that the pain spells will be over in a few weeks.
and
I rarely take medication and the thought that I will have to medicate myself for up to 3 weeks is disturbing. I did not check out your link yet but i hope that there is some homeopathic answer to the pain.

thanks again for your help.
be well
and take good care of your teeth!