There was a case report a couple of years ago in one of the journals
(I'm thinking it was General Dentistry, but I'm not sure).  It was scary
for sure.  Hopefully the OP will respond.

Steve

"Recognition of an irrigant-related mishap will be readily apparent.  The
patient may immediately complain of severe pain, and swelling can be violent
and alarming."

-Ingle and Bakland, Endodontics 5th addition 2002.

I  would disagree about the rate of swelling...a quick look at the lit and a
few case reviews of the matter reveal that both pain and swelling are
immediate.  Here are a few references:

Hales JJ. Jackson CR. Everett AP. Moore SH. Treatment protocol for the
management of a sodium hypochlorite accident during endodontic therapy.
General Dentistry. 49(3):278-81, 2001 May-Jun.

Neaverth EJ. Swindle R. A serious complication following the inadvertent
injection of sodium hypochlorite outside the root canal system. Compendium.
11(8):474, 476, 478-81, 1990 Aug.

Gatot A. Arbelle J. Leiberman A. Yanai-Inbar I. Effects of sodium
hypochlorite on soft tissues after its inadvertent injection beyond the root
apex. [Review] [9 refs] Journal of Endodontics. 17(11):573-4, 1991 Nov.

Gernhardt CR. Eppendorf K. Kozlowski A. Brandt M. Toxicity of concentrated
sodium hypochlorite used as an endodontic irrigant. International Endodontic
Journal. 37(4):272-80, 2004 Apr.

The severe pain, swelling, and even coloration sounds like it could be a
hypochlorite incident.  I would also be willing to wager that a lot of
dentists wouldn't even consider this occurring or have any idea what we were
even talking about.  I have been to dental school...and it is scary!!!

    I hadn't even thought of that.  I'm thinking no--the swelling wouldn't
have been immediate.  Obviously, if this is a reaction to sodium
hypochlorite this is very serious.

Steve

Hmmm...wonder if there was a sodium hypochlorite incident here.  Was the
dentist injecting any sort of medicine directly into the tooth itself when
this happened?  If this was a lower tooth, did he numb up the entire jaw
with one injection in the beginning?  If he had started the root canal, was
inside the pulp, and injected the cleaning solution into the tooth which
resulted in this feeling of pain, let me know ASAP.

This was on the bottom right. Which is one of the reasons why my entire
right cheek, jaw and down my neck swelled up and became black and blue

This is very unusual, the dentist even said that too. Perhaps he was
inexperienced in this field.

Has to be finished up at some point. Wondering if I should even go back
to him or not. Afraid it will happen again

It has improved since last Wednesday. But a bit concerned that the
dentist has not made a call to see how I am doing since last Thursday

    If this is in the upper premolar or first molar area, your dentist
doubtless damaged a vein in the pterygoid venous plexus.  I've seen this
only once--the patient in the cubicle next to me in dental school.  I
think the instructor may have given the injection.
    It's almost certainly just one of those things.  You have to stay close
to the bone  to try to avoid the plexus.  My guess is (based on the
rarity of this happening) than unless you have a very unusually
prominent plexus this is unlikely to happen again.
    You probably should be followed by an oral surgeon to manage the
hematoma, and may need to be on antibiotics to lessen the chance of
infection.

Steve

I went in to the dentist to have 2 root canals done, side by side. The
one came out ok. Then he started working on the other one. Then the sh__
hit the fan.

I let out a scream and within moments my right cheek swelled up so big I
look like a freak show. By that night, not only was I all swelled on my
cheek, jaw and down my neck, I was also black and blue.

Did this guy know what the heck he was doing or what? He said as a
result of the needle hitting a vein, it was hematoma.

Now, I have had many root canals over course of time. But never like
this. Talked to many people and they are shocked too

He never did get the chance to finish it. And I had to be out of work
Thursday and Friday taking sick leave. Could hardly open my mouth to
talk. Let alone not being able to eat much of anything

I am at a loss here, and don't know whether I should go back and have
him finish it (and hit another vein) or find someone else. Really confused

Any suggestions?

Susan