Suggest Treatment For Painful Lump On The Upper Lips

Posted on Mon, 19 Jan 2015

Question: I have a bridge spanning my front 6 teeth in the top of my mouth that has been in place for approximately 10 months. Over the past 2 weeks I have been feeling a lump grow and become increasingly sensitive to touch and basically any movement of my upper lip. The lump and the majority of the pain is centered about 1-2 cm directly below my right nostril and extends to pretty much the entire base of my nose behind my upper lip. Pressing on the lump causes pain in the immediate area and also down into my gums where my front-right tooth once was, now covered by the bridge. I am concerned it may be an abscess growing in or into my sinus cavity or perhaps even worse due to my years of smoking. Any guidance would be appreciated, thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rohit S Menon (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be an irritational fibroma!!

Detailed Answer:
Hello. First of all a very happy new year to you. Thanks for approaching Healthcaremagic for your query.

I read through your query and according to the mentioned symptoms, I can say that it can be a growth due to the impingement of the base of the bridge onto the gums causing a lump(medical term:irritational fibroma). It usually occurs in case of tight contact between the bridge and the gums(causes irritation to the underlying gums causing this condition). Also the habit of smoking can increase the problem.

But nothing to be worried it can be removed by simple minor procedure (excision of the growth) by a oral surgeon.

Its a usual lesion nothing to be worried in this case. I suggest you to get an appointment with an oral surgeon and get it removed. Also you have to be take care of your oral hygiene properly. Do salt water gargle and also do triclosan mouthrinse (good for gum problems). Besides all these stay calm and stress-free. Stress-free mind and happy mind can be best medicine for any disease.

Hope you are benefited something from this reply. If you have more queries please be free to approach us as we are always waiting to help you solve your problems. Have a healthy day and healthy year ahead!!!
Dr.Rohit S Menon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rohit S Menon (5 hours later)

To to make sure I understand correctly, this "irritation" between the bridge and the gum line can cause the lump to grow almost half an inch away from any contact? The lump itself is not actually inside my mouth but well beneath the skin almost directly behind my nose and just under it. If you diagnosis remains the same I assume it is safe to wait until Monday to seek treatment? Thank you for your reply

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rohit S Menon (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
diagnosis remains the same!!

Detailed Answer:
Hello.Thanks for replying to my response.

I read through your query and accordingly I can say that its nothing to be worried and you can wait till Monday for your treatment. And regarding the irritation these are common for bridges as they contact the gums and on biting or any forces on the bridge it impinches the gums and gradually to withstand the force your body's defense mechanism will make the gum to grow in size resulting in your condition(this is the scientific cause).

It can grow gradually and also the bone beneath might have reduced resulting in an inch distance from the contact. In simple words I must say that it is irritation fibroma and you can get it corrected on Monday(my diagnosis is purely based on your symptoms as treatment may vary in some cases based on your clinical presentation however it is nothing to be worried).

Be cool and stay happy. Cool mind and stress free mind is the best medicine for any disease.
Hope you are benefited something from my reply. If you have more queries please do approach us. Have a healthy year ahead!!
Dr.Rohit S Menon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju