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What Causes Mental Foramen Swelling?
Hi, I ve got my lower jaw swollen on the left side. It is exactly on the left side, not below the jaw bone. In other words it’s in the area of mental foramen the size of 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch (sort of like a half of quail egg). It grew to this size in about 2 weeks. It is very hard and stuck to this particular position (it’s not moving under the skin if I try to move it). When I touch it, it s as if I touch a bone under the skin. I have a completely destroyed but not removed tooth in around this area. However I don t have even mild pain (not in the swelling, not in the teeth, not when I press hard on the swelling, no pain at all). The only feeling is some sort of discomfort when I open and close the mouth just because there is something under the skin that was not there before and I didn t get used to that yet. I have normal temperature (no fever). The growing of the swelling seems to stop but it does not diminish. Assessing the situation I sort of ruled out a possibility of infection. All symptoms or lack of them is against it. What could it be?
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
Hello,
I can understand your concern. Regarding the tooth infection, you feel severe pain when the pus or infection is closed in a cavity and cannot get out. In this situation, it causes severe pressure on the surrounding walls which is felt as intense pain to the patient. In your case, if it is an infection, it is finding its way out either through a small hole (sinus) in the swelling or by expanding bone in the area. Thus, we cannot rule out infection of tooth as a cause in your case.
Alternatively, submandibular salivary gland opens in the area you have described. So if the duct is obstructed, you may experience such swelling in the area along with feeling of pressure of saliva in the area when you eat.
A very rare possibility could a be a lesion of bone where a bone overgrows without any pain.
Thus, I would advise you to visit a dentist to look for a decayed tooth first. An x-ray of the area will be taken to see if the infection is related to tooth or it is a bony growth. You might have to go for CT Scan and MRI too. Based on the test results, diagnosis can be made and treatment can be suggested.
I hope this information helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. I wish you feel better soon.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
I can understand your concern. Regarding the tooth infection, you feel severe pain when the pus or infection is closed in a cavity and cannot get out. In this situation, it causes severe pressure on the surrounding walls which is felt as intense pain to the patient. In your case, if it is an infection, it is finding its way out either through a small hole (sinus) in the swelling or by expanding bone in the area. Thus, we cannot rule out infection of tooth as a cause in your case.
Alternatively, submandibular salivary gland opens in the area you have described. So if the duct is obstructed, you may experience such swelling in the area along with feeling of pressure of saliva in the area when you eat.
A very rare possibility could a be a lesion of bone where a bone overgrows without any pain.
Thus, I would advise you to visit a dentist to look for a decayed tooth first. An x-ray of the area will be taken to see if the infection is related to tooth or it is a bony growth. You might have to go for CT Scan and MRI too. Based on the test results, diagnosis can be made and treatment can be suggested.
I hope this information helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. I wish you feel better soon.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
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