What does this symptom mean? Is it an abcsess or just irritation?

I have a swollen sport in the same area where I recently had a novocaine shot - about one week ago - so I'm not sure if it's from that. My dentist is away until Monday. It's a hard lump that is in the crease inside my mouth where my gum meets my cheek at the bottom of the ride side. It is hard. It is tender to the touch but does not hurt on its own. I was able to speak to my dentist on the phone and she said that from what I described it sounds like just an irritiation from the novocaine injection, but that injection was a week ago already. She said if it gets worse or a pimple forms on it before she gets back I should see the dentist she has on emergency on-call in her absence. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks so much!

What does this symptom mean? Is it an abcsess or just irritation?
most likely its an irriatation, i can't stand novocaine shots just because i get a month worth of irritation in that one area. BUT if it does start hurting more, hurts when you eat/drink/brush your teeth/ etc i would recommend calling the emergency dentist, just to be on the safe side, as they say, better to be safer then sorry, right? if it is an abcsess you will get antibiotics, if that doesnt help, they will just drain it a tad, which doesnt hurt. if you want reassurance go ahead and go see the on call doc:) hope i helped!
Reply:It might be an absess if it hurts when touched. Is it hot or cold sensitive? If so, get to your emer. dentist because you need antibiotics. If not, wait till mon. so she can look at it.