A mucocele is a small, fluid-filled swelling—usually on the inner lower lip—caused when a minor salivary gland gets damaged or blocked. It’s not dangerous, but it can get in the way of eating, be accidentally bitten over and over again, and start to affect how your mouth looks and functions. Sometimes it even alters how you chew, especially if you’re subconsciously trying to avoid it.
At Switch Dental in Lower Hutt, we offer quick, straightforward mucocele excision under local anaesthetic. It’s a minor procedure with major annoyance-relief.
Some people ignore them, others try to pop them—neither is ideal. Here’s why removal makes sense:
- They don’t go away on their own (not properly, anyway)
- Popping them may shrink them temporarily, but they’ll likely come back
- They can make you bite your lip more often, which makes them worse
- They may look unsightly—especially if they grow or darken in colour
- Constant lip irritation can affect your speech or chewing patterns
Leaving it might be okay for a while—but if it’s growing, bothering you, or being re-injured frequently, it’s time to deal with it.
It’s a simple outpatient procedure performed here in our Lower Hutt clinic. We numb the area with local anaesthetic, carefully remove the mucocele and the associated salivary gland, and then place a few small dissolvable stitches to help with healing.
The whole thing usually takes 20–30 minutes. Most people describe it as a smooth, fuss-free experience—about as easy as having a small skin tag removed.
Healing usually takes 7–10 days, and we’ll give you clear aftercare instructions to reduce swelling and help the tissue settle. Most people are back to work or school the same day or the next.
This is one of the main reasons why professional removal matters.
Studies show that when the mucocele and its associated gland are fully removed, recurrence rates are low—around 5–7%.
But when only the bump is popped or partially removed? Recurrence can be as high as 60%.
So if you want it gone-gone, excision is the way to go.
Is mucocele removal painful?
Not really. We use local anaesthetic to numb the area completely—so during the procedure, you’ll feel pressure but no pain. Some mild tenderness or swelling afterwards is expected, but it’s usually manageable with standard pain relief.
Will the mucocele come back after removal?
If the mucocele and the surrounding minor salivary gland are fully removed, recurrence is low—about 5–7%. If it’s simply popped or only partially removed, recurrence can be up to 60%. That’s why we aim to remove the source, not just the surface.
How long does the procedure take?
About 20–30 minutes, all done in-chair under local anaesthetic.
Can new mucoceles develop later on?
Yes—but usually not in the same place. If you’re regularly biting or irritating your lips, new ones can form elsewhere. We’ll talk to you about what might be triggering it and how to avoid that cycle.
Why Choose Switch Dental?
We’ve seen hundreds of these—quick diagnosis and urgent appointments available
Local anaesthetic, no downtime, and a comfortable environment
Real people, clear communication, and no pressure—we explain it all upfront
Convenient Lower Hutt location with online booking
Looking into a lip bump? Let’s rule out other causes like fibromas or trauma-related lesions
