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What Causes Swelling In Cheeks After A Root Canal?

Posted on Tue, 15 Apr 2014

Question: I am 37yrs old and 5.5 height & 78Kgs weight. I have got root canal done recently, and after 3rd sitting just before I need to place cap I started feeling pain. When I visited my Dentist he said root canal is good, but gums got infected and he opened gums and cleaned them. But I found when he gave anesthetic injection I felt sever pain and some swelling on my cheek for almost 2 hours pain was unbearable. I went back to clinic and Dentist said its not serious and gave some medicine for swelling. But midnight I found the pain was not there( may be ketoral painkiller worked) but swelling was more on my cheek. Next day evening Dr. said teeth has to be extracted and opened to address this problem and they have extracted my teeth. But the swelling. increased. Dentist has no clue, Please guide me.

Answered by Dr. Anshumala Singh (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Details required Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome. Thanks for sharing your concern. Please provide me few details to suggest better in this regard. 1.Do you have x rays,if yes then please attach the images here? 2.Do you have bleeding gums problems earlier as well,I mean before root canal treatment? 3.Does the tooth extracted was loose or mobile? Awaiting response. Thanks. Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Anshumala Singh (3 hours later)

X rays are with the dentist only. No I dont have bleeding gums before or after Tooth extraction was done after I got swelling in my cheek, Doctor said to address the problem permanently, teeth needs to be extracted and they immediately did that. But problem persisted. The extracted teeth is not loose Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Anshumala Singh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Details required. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for reply. As per the history posted here the exact cause for extraction of teeth is not clear. Post root canal swelling is not a healthy sign but immediate extraction of tooth after successful completion of root canal is also not convince able. Therefore in my view you must inquire the details and please ask for your x rays. I would also suggest you for a second opinion for clinical examination from an endodontist(specialist in root canal treatment). patient must be aware about the facts regarding their treatment. Present swelling appears to be due to gum infection which requires proper treatment.Therefore please see your endodontist soon.If possible attach the x rays for view. Hope it helps and also let me know for further doubts. Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Anshumala Singh (10 hours later)

Dr. I don't think you got my problem clearly. After root canal treatment I have got pain and diagnosed as some infection in the gum, and they cleaned the gum. When doing it they have given me local anesthetis from that time I found swelling in my cheek and unbearable pain. After that I found swelling in my cheek even till now. Dentist told me its some allergic reaction and water is accumulating in the cheek. I have consulted the ENT surgeon yesterday they said nothing serious some reaction which will settle in 2 to 3 days. I want to know exact reasons or conditions when this kind of swelling happens.

Answered by Dr. Anshumala Singh (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Allergic reaction Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for reply. I have understood the problem posted here by you but I would like to say that the swelling is not a very common phenomenon. Also the decision to extract or retain a tooth cannot be taken after doing the treatment .This is decided prior, after taking diagnostic x rays.which is not available for evaluation,to me. Now since you have already visited ENT specialist as well, it appears to be allergic in nature only. The cause for swelling could be irritation or damage caused to the branches of trigeminal nerve. Therefore please wait and watch for two more days ,it should get normal. But if you find the swelling persists then steroid can be administered. Hope it helps. Let me know for further query. Thanks. Take care.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj