Hi. my tooth started hurting a couple of days ago. now it's very painful to the touch. i already have a filling in. i am deathly afraid i need a root?

Infection: Tooth may be infected. If so it needs immediate treatment. Perhaps antibiotic coverage and/or incision and drainage followed by root canal treatment (which would give you immediate relief) or extraction. The infection can't go untreated or it will quickly spread. Please call your Dentist now to begin the care/healing process. Don't wait.

Needs exam: It might be a simple as a new filling. Give your dentist a call for an appointment.

Possible: If the filling was placed recently, it could be how it was bonded. If the filling has been there a long time then its possible that the nerve has died and you will need a root canal or extraction. Modern root canal treatments are all but pain free. Better than losing the tooth,