Oral mucocele and its management

These are oral retention cysts which are caused due to extravasation of salivary secretions due to obstruction of the salivary gland duct. They are acquired cysts of the salivary glands caused by trauma or irritation to the salivary duct. This can be due to lip or cheek biting or due to accidental injury to the gland. They are commonly associated with minor salivary glands. These cysts are benign in nature and usually noticed in children.

Lower labial mucosa is the most common site of its occurrence as many have the habit of lip biting. Followed by, buccal mucosa and floor of the mouth. If this is seen in the floor of the mouth then it is called as Ranula which is usually bigger in size as compared other sites.

Figure 1 Oral Mucocele

Clinically mucocele presents as:
Soft,
Dome or pearl shaped, sometimes it may appear as smooth finger shaped overgrowth
Movable
Painless
Sessile lesion
Filled with semi clear to bluish colour fluid

Management of oral mucocele:
Observe the lesion for some time as in certain instances they may disappear. If they persist for long time and causing in convince to the patient then visit your dentist where some of the following procedures can be performed:
Surgical excision along with the affected gland or
Aspiration of the contents of the cysts, but in such cases recurrence rates is higher
Marsupialisation for larger cysts
Cryosurgery, electrocautery or LASER treatment
Sometimes topical steroids can be used in smaller cysts.

Prevention of mucocele:
Avoid lip biting or trauma to the soft tissues of the oral cavity.