A mucocele is a cyst that forms in the mouth and can be removed by an oral surgeon removing the salivary gland or helping a new duct to form.
Treating Mucoceles With Oral Surgery
A mucocele is a mucous cyst or bump that can develop on the inside of the lip, on the tongue, or on the floor or roof of the mouth. They can be painless or cause some discomfort and may get in the way of chewing, speaking, swallowing, or even breathing. Some mucoceles dissolve on their own and do not cause further problems. Others require intervention from a skilled oral surgeon.
If the mucocele is small, patients may not even notice that it’s there. Touching it may be painful, but most only reach a few centimeters in diameter. Cysts resolve either by fluid being released by itself or surgically draining it. Dr. Glosenger will evaluate your condition and determine if surgical intervention is necessary to help the cyst drain or if it should be monitored as it goes away on its own. If the mucocele was removed during a surgical procedure, it’s important to keep your mouth clean and attend follow-up appointments to ensure the cyst does not reappear.
How Mucoceles Form
Typically, mucoceles form following trauma to the mouth, such as a blow or blunt object to the face, or by accidentally biting your tongue or cheek. In other cases, the tubes that saliva moves through in your mouth, known as ducts, may become damaged or blocked, which occurs if you bite or suck on your lips or cheeks. Only a small percentage of mucoceles require any type of surgical intervention.
Signs and Symptoms of Mucoceles
As mentioned above, you may not even notice a mucocele if it is very small and painless. However, most patients are able to tell that something seems awry when they notice a bump along the lining of their mouth. Characteristics of a mucocele that you should be on the lookout for include
A bump that is moveable and painless
A round, dome-shaped bump
Semi-transparent, pearly, or bluish color
Bumps that appear between 2 and 20 millimeters in diameter
If you are experiencing any of the above and would like to be evaluated for mucocele treatment, please contact our office conveniently located in Minot, ND. Dr. Glosenger and his staff at North Dakota Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center are highly skilled when it comes to identifying, monitoring, and treating mucoceles, and we look forward to providing you and your family with outstanding oral surgery care.
