bigjohnny's Blog

Based on my personal experience, and everything I read, mucoceles don't often go away on their own. They may come and go...they may stay constant...and (occasionally)they may just "burn out" and go away without return.

For me...things in my mouth tend to freak me out (dipped snuff way too long), and I opt for the "cut this thing out now" option. (Just had something taken off my hard palate last week ). It all comes down to how you feel with that beast sitting there for what could be all eternity.

My recommendation is to see an oral surgeon...directly if you can or with a dentist referral. It's obvious this thing is worrying the hell out of you, and I can relate. Oral surgeons are much more experienced with these things, and in my mind it's worth the expense for the piece of mind....

My opinion is that the pain won't be bad enough to interrupt your plans.

A lot depends on how big your little friend is...where it's at...and your pain tolerence.

I just had a lump taken off the roof of my mouth yesterday, and other than an annoying stitch and a couple days of a softer diet...I'm fine. When I had my mucoceles removed...lower lip and back near my tonsil...I was fine after a day

"except the head appears almost transparent. "

"much like a half pea"

Sounds very much like a mucocele.....they can last for a long time, or like one of mine, go up and down every couple days.

COULD it be oral cancer ?? Of course...but your doc is not an idiot. However, I'd recommend going to your dentist or an oral surgeon...they are much more familiar with these little beasts. ( used a steroidal paste on one of mine years ago....didn't do much of anything)

Bottom line...I wouldn't freak out about it, but I would see a dentist/oral surgeon

Pop it if you want, but don't be surprised if it comes back.

Skip the physician. Oral surgeon is the way to go, they are very familiar with them...some require a general dentist referral...some will take you direct.

That, my friend, is a textbook mucocele...

Prolly about 3 weeks

Yuck.... :^)

Those could be mucoceles..they sound like it....or more properly rannulas (mucoceles on the floor of the mouth.

Can't help in Dallas....but was VERY happy with my oral surgeon

Dr. Richard Mowry, Chula Vista, CA

Probably a scar from the mucocele, or the actual damaged salivary gland that caused the damn thing. Mention it to your dentist...

You'll see my other note....I think you'll do just fine...press forward.

I've had two removed surgically my friend...and weighing everything, it was well worth the inconvenience. That little bastard is gonna drive you crazy, and unless you're really lucky, it won't go away without being removed.

Like any "surgery", they'll scare you with a lot of possible bad things that could happen (lip numbness, scarring, etc)...but hopefully you'll have an understanding oral surgeon (my experience are these guys are very understanding...they see these things all the time)

I wouldn't sweat the biopsy either...good thing to have. I had dipped snuff for over 20 years, so I was REALLY freaked about oral cancer...but being young, the odds on that for you are incredibly slim...

Good luck...I recommend you go forward.

At this stage...popping won't work, IMHO. If you decide you can't live with it, I'd recommend a second or third opinion.

Wow...I really don't know....I'll guess around $500, but it depends on how much needs to be done. You might be able to negotiate a better fee with the doc and his staff.

Wow...that was a whopper....looks like he did a good job.

Khan....the "surgery", when weighing all the odds, is relatively simple. If this thing is really bugging you, surgery is the only way to make it go away...unless you get lucky and it decides to go away on it's own and never come back.

Mine was roughly in the same place...when they took it out, it came back...had it taken out again....came back, but then went away.

My best guesses to your questions...

1 and 2) Either they aren't getting it all, or are damaging other salivary glands when removing the first bump. Tough to tell

3) My experience...yes...the very first thing they look for is malignancy

Who's been doing your work ?? An oral surgeon or an ENT ? If not an oral surgeon, I'd recommend getting a second opinion/consult with one. An oral surgeon did mine, and he warned that if it came back he'd be reluctant to take more out because that area of the mouth/throat has a lot of effect on talking and swallowing.

I've had one that left a bump until it came back...may be the actual damaged salivary gland that is causing the problem. Ask your dentist to take a look at it...

I don't want to sound patronizing....but you're really worrying a bit too much, in my opinion (and I'm a textbook hypochondriac). I think the surgeon wants to put you in twilight sleep because he senses your apprehension.

My own experience...I've had one taken off my lower lip and one in my throat by my tonsil. I think your best bet on your lip is an oral surgeon, since they understand the anatomy of the mouth better than any other provider and all have a lot of experience with mucoceles. My lip removal went very smoothly...I was eating and drinking normally the same day, although it did sting a bit and I had a couple stitches. No significant swelling. And mine was removed the "conventional" way...no lasers...local anest...etc.

yes...I did and do have a bit of residual numbness in my lip, but it is rather insignificant and hardly noticeable...in fact not noticeable most of the time.

Yes you have the option of just living with it....i tried that with the one I had in my throat...but eventually it drove me so crazy I had to have it out.

I personally recommend you go ahead and have it taken out..and I wish you the best . Let me know how it goes.

Mucoceles can be a bit bluish.

Could it be cancer ?? Sure, but I'd guess the odds are against it, especially if it's a smooth and well defined bump. Still, if worried, go to your dentist, and probably a referral to an oral surgeon.

There is a chance of permanent lip numbness....I'm sure it was in the release you signed. I had one taken off my lower lip a few years ago...they went pretty deep and my lower lip is still a little numb, but not grossly so.

In short...I don't think doc screwed up...it'll take some time.

Keep poking at it and you're gonna have a lip ful of scar tissue...

This doesn't sound like a mucocele...sounds more like a torus, but the onset is too quick...interested to hear what the doc thinks it is...

1. Postpone the procedure until after the wedding....

2. Ice could reduce swelling

Make sure you ask this when you see the oral surgeon

Without insurance...well it would probably be a bit costly. Might be worth investing in a consult visit to an oral surgeon for a look and an estimate so you can make an educated guess. As long as these rannulas aren't dangerous, then it becomes an issue of whether it's worth the discretionary income to attack the problem...but I'd at least go in and get an estimate.

If it's a mucocele...it will "probably" come back...but then you never know....and it may not come back right away...

Mine was on my soft palate near my right tonsil