I went to the doctor for a tooth extraction and before he pulled the tooth but immediately after the lidocaine injections my whole cheek began to swell. I have not experienced any difficulty breathing, just facial swelling. At first the dentist seemed alarmed and gave me some antihistamine but his said I should be fine. What could have caused this? Did he hit a nerve or a blood vessel? The swelling is local to the side I received the injections. What should I do? Right now I have a ice pack on my cheek,but 3 hrs later it still looks the same.
Hello, It's nothing but looks like to be a normal complication called a hematoma. It seems the dentist hit a blood vessel and due to the blood leakage into the space it swells up.  But not to worry, a good amount of pressure packs, and the area might turn a bit bluish, but it shall regress itself in the next 2 days. Relax and follow all instructions. Thanks and regards