severe apin and swellig after root canal and air travel

[krissy123]

I had a root canal done on tooth # 28 five days ago.  I had no pain prior to root canal , but my dentist said I had a large abscess found on xray that needed to be root canaled before I left to go out of the country.  Sine the root canal I have had severe pain 10+ and a lot of facial swelling.  After calling my endontontist 3 days in a row he had me come in to his office and determined my bite was offf and I was hitting the root canal tooth first.  I clinch my teeeth at night so my pain was just getting worse and worse for the 3 days prior ot him getting me out of occlusion.  My question is.. am I safe to fly out of the country tomarrow.  we are headed on a Mediteranean cruise.  I continue to have severe pain that percocet does not even take away and my face continues to swell more. Swelling is so bad I can hardly smile.  I am taking clindamiacin, advil, and pain medication.  Any adivce would be greatly appreciated.  I really do not want to miss our trip we have planned for months, but I also do not want to effect my health.  Thank you!

[Luvmysmile]

You might want to have the endodontist leave the tooth open so that the infection can continue to drain.  Did he already seal and finish the root canal?  Do you have a crown on that tooth or are they planning on doing a filling since the root canal?  The swelling is a sign that the infection is still there.  Antibiotics is good, but when you get on a plane with the altitude and the pain and swelling that you mention, you are going to be in alot more pain.
Check with the endodontist again before you fly in a plane!

[scottma]

If the canal is thouroughly debrided and optimally obturated, post -op swelling is rare.Clindamycin is generally effective for periapical infection. Administration of additional metronidazole and increase the dosage of clindamycin may help clearing up infection faster.