Why does my tooth extraction still hurt/when did yours get better?

[Peskymalevolence]

After a protracted series of dental mishaps, about 5 or 6 weeks ago I had a tooth (lower molar) removed. A failed root canal meant I was really running out of options unfortunately. The extraction itself was fine, but unfortunately it has been slow to heal. No infection, but I developed dry socket and then later had to have some bone sequestra removed.

Now it finally appears to be healing outwardly, still a very big indentation, but it looks like actual skin is covering the site now. But the trouble is, though the pain is much better than when I had toothache before, and the dry socket (I'm not taking painkillers now) there's still some issues. My jaw is still slightly stiff and I have a bit of niggling pain near the joint on that side and often just a weird feeling which extends along some of my upper teeth on that side too (it's not bad enough for painkillers, but I'm aware of it if that makes sense). Over the last couple of days I have very tentatively tried eating on that side, it is not comfortable, I know it's still healing but am concerned as I noticed that today the tooth next to it hurt when I bit down on something.

My gut instinct is that things will settle down in time and the tooth has probably been upset by all the surrounding trauma, and frankly probably isn't used to chewing after so many weeks/months. I have a follow up with the dentist next week but I'm just looking for some reassurance that others had niggling pain for a while so that I can attempt to stop my mind going into overdrive that I will never be able to eat on that side again (I really have seem to had every bit of bad luck possible with teeth in the past 6 months so it's hard not to worry that I'm just never going to be better).

My husband had a similar experience. It went in for weeks and weeks before finally settling down. (When I say the same, dry sockets and so much bone came out for days and days, if not weeks and he said his whole mouth felt off). It did settle down, but it took a long time.

Hopefully yours will settle down too, like you say, it's a lot of trauma. And dental pain is the worst.

It took me about 2 months to feel fully healed from a tooth extraction, I often got pains in the teeth next to the site because they were adjusting to not having the tooth there.
You will eat that side again, I always said I wouldn't either now and sometimes I'm still weary but I am using that side!

Thank you both so much for this, it's really reassuring to read. I appreciate you taking the time to reply and I'm glad you're better now @ZZGirl and your DH is better @JuneOsborne. My DSis is the only person I know who's had an extraction, and she told me she was back to normal within a week, which made me feel utterly pathetic.

I'm desperately hoping I'm on the mend, just slowly!

@Peskymalevolence did it settle eventually