About Swollen Tongue
Key Highlights
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Alleviates discomfort, pain, and difficulty with speaking or swallowing.Addresses the root cause of the swelling, such as an abscess, cyst, or benign tumor.Can significantly improve airway patency and breathing if the swelling is severe.Helps restore normal oral function and aesthetics.Prevents potential complications from untreated infections or obstructions.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, persistent tongue swelling causing airway obstruction or difficulty breathing.
- Presence of a dental abscess, cyst (e.g., ranula), or benign tumor (e.g., fibroma) within the tongue.
- Chronic macroglossia due to conditions like amyloidosis or lymphatic malformations that impairs function.
- Traumatic injury to the tongue resulting in a large hematoma or tissue damage requiring debridement.
- Biopsy-required lesion on the tongue suspected to be malignant or of unknown origin.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive diagnostic workup including oral examination, possibly ultrasound or MRI.
- Review of medical history and current medications; adjustments may be needed (e.g., blood thinners).
- Pre-operative blood tests to assess clotting function and overall health.
- Discussion of anesthesia options (local, sedation, or general) and associated risks.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours prior to the procedure if general anesthesia or sedation is used.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, hematoma, or infection at the surgical site.
- Temporary or permanent changes in taste sensation.
- Nerve damage leading to numbness or altered tongue movement.
- Swelling and pain, which are common but managed post-operatively.
- Scarring or altered speech, especially with more extensive resections.
- Reaction to anesthesia.
- Recurrence of the underlying condition.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial 24-48 hours involve managing swelling with ice packs and pain with prescribed medication.
- Soft or liquid diet is recommended for several days to avoid irritating the surgical site.
- Meticulous oral hygiene with gentle rinsing (as advised) to prevent infection.
- Avoid strenuous activity and hot foods/liquids for the first few days.
- Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor healing, remove sutures if non-dissolvable, and assess function.
- Full healing of internal tissues typically takes 2-3 weeks, though sensation may take longer to normalize.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (Often outpatient or day care)
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Expected recovery time: 7-14 days for initial healing; 3-6 weeks for full functional recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering swollen tongue in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with dental surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform swollen tongue. MediFyr helps you compare dental surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for swollen tongue compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 15 Thousand – 80 Thousand | 0-1 days (Often outpatient or day care) | ~ 7-14 days for initial healing; 3-6 weeks for full functional recovery | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 52.5 Thousand – 280 Thousand | 0-1 days (Often outpatient or day care) | ~ 7-14 days for initial healing; 3-6 weeks for full functional recovery | Know More |
Michael Joshi, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Michael Joshi, a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two, noticed his tongue felt persistently thick and uncomfortable. Over two weeks, it became visibly swollen, making speech slightly slurred and eating difficult. He had no known allergies but was a lifelong smoker. His dentist, Dr. Chen, identified a suspicious, firm lesion on the lateral border of his tongue. Concerned about oral cancer, Dr. Chen urgently recommended an incisional biopsy under local anesthesia. Michael was terrified, fearing the worst for his family. The procedure itself was quick, with only pressure and vibration felt. A week later, the results revealed it was a benign traumatic fibroma, likely from chronic irritation. The swelling subsided after the biopsy site healed. Michael's relief was profound; he quit smoking immediately, embracing a second chance with deep gratitude and a commitment to regular dental check-ups.
Dental surgeons for Swollen Tongue
Explore experienced dental surgeons who regularly perform swollen tongue and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 24 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 24 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 15 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 11 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
- 4 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 4 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 13 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 10 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 23 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 7 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata