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Torus Lesions of the Jaw: Diagnosis and Clinical Implications
  • Gary Ghahremani,
  • David Naimi,
  • Zohreh Ghahremani
Gary Ghahremani
University of California San Diego

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David Naimi
US Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton
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Zohreh Ghahremani
Northwestern University
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Abstract

Summary Background: Torus is a protuberant and lobulated exostosis that develops on the lingual aspect of the jaws or hard palate in 10-30% of adults. They can interfere with mastication, speech, oral hygiene, and denture placement. Their enlargement with advancing age may also lead to superficial ulceration, inflammation, osteonecrosis and various other complications. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the authors’ experience with 17 adults who had large symptomatic tori was performed. The patients were examined by intraoral imaging and radiographic or computed tomography of their maxillofacial bones. Their dental and medical records were reviewed along with the pertinent literature concerning the prevalence and reported complications of this entity. Results: This series included 6 men and 11 women, ranging in age from 36 to 85 years (Mean age: 56.5 years).There were 6 patients with torus mandibularis, 8 with torus palatinus, and 3 with torus maxillaris. Four of our 17 patients required surgical excision of their tori because of large size, recurrent superficial erosions and associated symptoms. Conclusion: The majority of tori are asymptomatic and incidental finding, but the more prominent tori are prone to mucosal inflammation and ulceration that may require surgical removal of the lesion. Large tori can also interfere with mastication, speech, dental hygiene, placement and function of prosthetic dentures, and may cause snoring, sleep apnea or other complications. Therefore, the practicing physicians should be familiar with the appearance, radiological features, clinical implications and management of tori.
06 Sep 2020Published in International Journal of Clinical Practice. 10.1111/ijcp.13697