Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Severe Swelling On The Cheeks After A Dental Procedure?
Hello,
I went to the dentist today to get a few fillings and a deep clean on my left side. When the dentist put the local anesthesia shot in the upper back portion of my jaw, my cheek INSTANTLY got HUGE and hard. I told him it was really swollen, and he said it probably just "feels" swollen because of the numbing, but then when he saw and felt it, he said "ohhhh, it probably saliva." (?) The rest of the visit went without incident. I got two routine fillings on the top left and two on the bottom and a deep clean on my left side. When I went to leave my left cheek was still giant. I mean giant giant like i was trying to hide a golf ball in the left side of my mouth. The ladies up front looked SUPER surprised and said they had only seen one other person ever that had that reaction... I have NEVER had this reaction in all of my 32 years of going to the dentist.... Now it has been 7 hours and it is not even a tiny bit less swollen. The only part of my mouth that is sore is the inside back of my cheek at the injection site... It definitely is not swelling form the procedure, as it happened instantly after the anesthesia shot and hasn't changed...what happened and how can I get this to go away?
I went to the dentist today to get a few fillings and a deep clean on my left side. When the dentist put the local anesthesia shot in the upper back portion of my jaw, my cheek INSTANTLY got HUGE and hard. I told him it was really swollen, and he said it probably just "feels" swollen because of the numbing, but then when he saw and felt it, he said "ohhhh, it probably saliva." (?) The rest of the visit went without incident. I got two routine fillings on the top left and two on the bottom and a deep clean on my left side. When I went to leave my left cheek was still giant. I mean giant giant like i was trying to hide a golf ball in the left side of my mouth. The ladies up front looked SUPER surprised and said they had only seen one other person ever that had that reaction... I have NEVER had this reaction in all of my 32 years of going to the dentist.... Now it has been 7 hours and it is not even a tiny bit less swollen. The only part of my mouth that is sore is the inside back of my cheek at the injection site... It definitely is not swelling form the procedure, as it happened instantly after the anesthesia shot and hasn't changed...what happened and how can I get this to go away?
Mon, 8 May 2017
Hi..
Thanks for the query.
The huge swelling that you have got after local anaesthesia injection is not due to any reaction but it is due to Hematoma formation that occurs due to deep penetration of injection needle in the mesh of veins and due to pricking of the blood vessels there is accumulation of blood into the soft tissues leading to a large swelling.
It is however harmless and gets resolves gradually on its own when the blood gradually disintegrates.
You should apply cool compresses over it and the area that is painful at the site of injection, there you can apply Lidocaine gel for relief..
You should avoid applying any form of heat as it can make the swelling more severe..
Keep a watch on the swelling but just relax as it is harmless and will get reduced soon..
Hope this helps..
Regards.
Thanks for the query.
The huge swelling that you have got after local anaesthesia injection is not due to any reaction but it is due to Hematoma formation that occurs due to deep penetration of injection needle in the mesh of veins and due to pricking of the blood vessels there is accumulation of blood into the soft tissues leading to a large swelling.
It is however harmless and gets resolves gradually on its own when the blood gradually disintegrates.
You should apply cool compresses over it and the area that is painful at the site of injection, there you can apply Lidocaine gel for relief..
You should avoid applying any form of heat as it can make the swelling more severe..
Keep a watch on the swelling but just relax as it is harmless and will get reduced soon..
Hope this helps..
Regards.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....