Hi, I had a root canal today and the whole side of my face went numb and is swollen. Is that normal? I feel like my face is distorted.
It is not atypical to have some tenderness after a RCT, however if you are pretty swollen there is a good chance you will need an antibiotic. Call the office that you had RCT done at and explain the situation so they can address this. If you ever have difficulty breathing from swelling, go to ER immediately.
Root canal was today you can expect pain inflammation on toothmandibleface today and sometimes that can take days or couple of weeks. Not all rct are complicatedinvasive, not all infections or the nerve to die are caused by caries what tooth had the treatment?anteriors have 1 canal are more easy to work than molars that have multiple roots and canalsthose takes longer and are more difficult if there was or no infection level of infection how was the structure of tooth.. those are different factors that can provoke more or less pain on this kind of treatment. you can ask other patient and they are going to say that no pain or discomfort after a rct and others are going to say that was a horrible thing because they were in pain couple of days after etc. Inflammation infection are not going to be relief instantly, is going to take maybe daysweeks. Even tho they removed the nerve , tissue around tooth gumperiodontal ligament, adjacent nerveIANbone was also treated touched by anesthesia and stuff that was placed rubber dam, clamp, endofiles also if treatment took hours your muscles, ligaments of face are inflammedexhausted. If pain continues more that weeks and within the days is getting worse a reevaluation need to be doneand it will be better with the dr that treat the tooth if it was with a general dentist and a second opinion with a specialist endodontist many things can happen still infection that need to be removed with surgical treatmentapical fracture on rootcrown of that tooth part of nerve untouchedor not completely removed. Hope you get better!
That may be considered normal the same day of the procedure. However, if it doesn't improve in 2-3 days, you should contact the dentist who did the root canal and have it checked.
Pain and swelling after a root canal is not unusual. Did your dentist prescribe any pain control medication for you? If he or she did make sure you are taking it as directed. The numbness and swelling does occur in many cases. Here are a couple of general guidelines. The numbness may be longer acting due the type and amount of anesthetic given. Some of them last longer than others. Eventually it will wear off.
Swelling does occur. There are two things that may help. Warm soaks on the cheek may help. The warmth will cause the blood vessels to dilate allowing the fluids causing the swelling to drain. Pain: follow any specific instructions the dentist gave you. If you are very uncomfortable, call your dentist and set up an appointment.
No, this is not normal and you should seek professional care immediately.
Scott M. Dubowsky, DMD