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ProceduresOral pathology · Salivary glands

Salivary glands:
stones, mucoceles and tumours

A gland that swells when you eat, a soft lump on the lip or a mass in front of the ear: the salivary glands have their own problems, and most are resolved with a clear diagnosis.

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Diagnosis
Examination and ultrasound or CT scan
Mucoceles and accessible stones
Under local anesthesia
Treatment
In the practice or in hospital, depending on the case
Recovery
Days, for minor procedures

Approximate values: every case is different and your plan confirms them at the consultation.

What problems do the salivary glands cause?

There are three pairs of major glands—parotid, submandibular and sublingual—and hundreds of minor glands in the lips, cheeks and palate. They all produce saliva and carry it into the mouth through small ducts.

A stone, or sialolith, can block the duct: saliva gets trapped and the gland swells and hurts, especially when eating. It is most common in the submandibular gland, under the jaw.

A mucocele is a saliva cyst that almost always appears on the lower lip after a small injury, such as biting it. Salivary gland tumours, mostly benign, are studied with imaging and a biopsy.

When to see us
  • 01Swelling under the jaw or in front of the earthat gets worse when you eat.
  • 02A soft, clear lump on the lipthat bursts and comes back.
  • 03A mass in front of the ear or under the jaweven if it does not hurt.
  • 04A bad taste, pus or feverwith a swollen gland.

A mass that grows quickly, hurts or comes with weakness of the face should be assessed soon.

How it works

A stone in the duct, in three steps

Illustration of an open mouth with a salivary stone under the tongue — The stone blocks the outlet
01Step 1/3

The stone blocks the outlet

A stone forms inside the duct of the submandibular gland, under the tongue. Saliva gets trapped: the gland swells and hurts, especially when eating.

  • 1Stone blocking the duct
  • 2Duct opening
  • 3Tongue
Illustration of an open mouth with a salivary stone under the tongue — Removed from inside the mouth
02Step 2/3

Removed from inside the mouth

If the stone is near the opening, it is removed under local anesthesia through a small incision over the duct, closed with stitches.

  • 1Incision closed with stitches
  • 2Duct opening
  • 3Tongue
Illustration of an open mouth with a salivary stone under the tongue — Saliva flows again
03Step 3/3

Saliva flows again

Within a few days the wound heals and saliva drains through its natural opening again, so the gland can empty once more.

  • 1Healed
  • 2Saliva flows again
  • 3Tongue
Options

Depending on the gland and what is found.

  • 01Small stones

    Conservative management

    Hydration, warm compresses, gland massage and sour sweets to stimulate saliva; sometimes the stone comes out on its own.

  • 02Accessible stones

    Stone removal

    If it is near the duct opening, it is removed from inside the mouth under local anesthesia.

  • 03Lip

    Mucocele removal

    It is removed together with the minor glands that feed it, so it does not come back.

  • 04Masses

    Investigation and surgery

    Imaging and a biopsy define the type of tumour; treatment, usually surgical, depends on the diagnosis.

Step by step

From the lump to the diagnosis.

  1. 01Consultation
    Examination

    We feel the gland and check the duct opening and the saliva.

  2. 02If needed
    Imaging

    Ultrasound or CT scan to see stones or masses.

  3. 03Day 0
    Procedure

    Removal of the mucocele or the stone under local anesthesia; large masses, in hospital.

  4. 041–2 weeks
    Check-up and pathology

    Review of the wound and the result of the tissue study.

After removing a mucocele

What to expect

  1. Day 1

    Mild discomfort in the lip; cold packs.

  2. Days 2–5

    Soft diet; avoid biting the area.

  3. Week 1

    Check-up and stitch removal.

  4. Weeks 1–2

    Pathology result.

Do not wait

When to seek care promptly

  • Swelling with fever and pus in the mouth
  • A mass that grows quickly
  • Weakness or drooping of one side of the face
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  • Going through the radiograph with the patient
  • Working with magnification loupes during surgery
  • Dr. Rodríguez and his team in the operating room
Frequently asked

What patients ask before deciding.

Eating stimulates saliva. If a stone blocks the duct, the saliva gets trapped: the gland swells, hurts and then slowly goes down.
Sometimes it bursts and disappears, but it usually comes back. When it recurs, it is removed together with the glands that feed it.
Small ones sometimes do, with hydration, massage and saliva stimulation. Large or deep ones need to be removed.
Most parotid tumours are benign, but all are studied with imaging and a biopsy, and they are usually removed.
The maxillofacial surgeon and the ENT surgeon; depending on the case, they work together.
Related
Cysts, tumours and biopsy→Abscesses and infections of the face and neck→Frenectomy→All procedures→
Next step

Book your consultation.

One visit to review your case with imaging and leave with a clear plan: procedure, time and recovery.

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