Swelling, pain and bruising 5-days post composite filling

[munchkin8679]

Last Wednesday I had a cavity filled in an upper left molar with novacaine.  Two days later I developed a bruise on my left cheek, along with continued swelling and discomfort on the left side.  The composite site was fine and I am able to chew.  The pain is mostly in my cheek and jawline.  It slightly improved on Saturday, but on Sunday and today the pain continues and had actually worsened.  This morning I woke up feeling nausated and with a severe headache.  Waking up with headaches is very uncommon for me. The bruise is still presnet. Does with warrant a trip back to the dentists office since its going on 5 days? Could this be an infection or just a bad reaction to the novacaine?

[munchkin8679]

Thanks for the information. Made it back to the dentist this morning.  He thinks that when he injected the novacaine that he hit an artery in my cheek.  The blood then drained down and formed a hematoma (bruise).  He stated that he might see this type of injury once or twice a year. I'm just happy it wasn't something more serious.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

It sounds like a reaction to the injection. I see no reason why you should not see the dentist.