I had moderate dental pain for 3 days. the pain is gone but i woke up today and my face r side is swollen and tender. dentist x-ray said no abscess?

2nd opinion?: An abscess can take up to 3 months to show up on an x-ray. Take antibiotics as directed, but make sure to get it treated in less than 1-3 months when the pain will return.

?: Even if xray does not show a radiolucency, seems like you do have an abcess or infection and the tooth needs a root canal.

Do not delay.: The swelling suggests you have an infection. These do not always show up on an x-ray, but still need treatment. Call your dentist right away and get antibiotics if you need them.

Infection: That's normally what happens before an abscess can form. That infection should be treated with antibiotics first then your dentist have to find the cause of that infection and treat it too, as it might happen again if the cause of it is not treated. Infection could be from an infected tooth that needed a root canal treatment or brocken roots or ill fitting bridge.

Infection: Dental infections do not always present on x-rays, especially if abscess is new. Ask your dentist to check you again, or to refer you to an endodontist, a root canal specialist. This will not go away by itself.

Endodontist: I would visit an endodontist for a second opinion. There are other tests that can be completed that help determine if a tooth is abscessing besides just consulting radiographs.

Oral surgeon: See an oral surgeon or endodontist. You obviously have an infection. Antibiotics likely indicated.