Abstract
Usually mucoceles are surgically removed. However, they often recur, especially when the child continues the habit of thumb sucking or lip biting that threatens to induce them. Between December 1988 and September 1995, we treated 49 children for mucoceles that originated in their minor salivary gland.
Splints were given to 20 of these children. The effectiveness could be assessed in 18 chidren, eight of which had developed mucoceles because of habitual behavior. Splints were fitted to the upper or lower jaw, and some FKO splints were used. All splints were 2-3 mm thick in the molar region and prevented habitual lip biting or thumb sucking.
After 1 month, they were judged as “effective” if the mucocele had become smaller or had disappeared, or as “non-effective” if the mucocele had not changed or had become bigger.
We had 3 effective cases, in which the children continued to use the splints for another two months. We had 5 non-effective cases, in whichi the chidren had the mucoceles removed surgically and then used splints to prevent a recurrence. Our follow-up ranged from 4 months to 5 years and showed that splint therapy prevented any recurrence, even in the cases originally judged as “noneffective”.
