What Are Mouth Tori?
Mouth tori, also known as dental tori, are benign bony growths that develop in the mouth. Although they are generally harmless, they can cause discomfort or complications in some cases. These growths may go unnoticed for a long time, as they are typically painless and slow-growing. However, for those who experience issues due to tori, understanding what they are, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial.
Mouth Tori or Dental Tori
These growths can appear on the roof of the mouth (palatal tori), inside the lower jaw (mandibular tori), or in other areas of the mouth. Typically, tori are slow-growing and can be present for years without causing noticeable symptoms. They are not cancerous and rarely require treatment unless they interfere with oral functions or comfort.
Types of Mouth Tori
There are three main types of mouth tori, categorized based on their location in the mouth:
Palatal Tori (Torus Palatinus): These growths occur on the roof of the mouth (palate). They are typically found in the midline of the palate and may vary in size. Palatal tori are more common in women than men and often appear in early adulthood.
Mandibular Tori (Torus Mandibularis): Mandibular tori are located on the inner side of the lower jaw, near the premolars. These growths tend to develop in pairs and can be found on both sides of the mouth. Mandibular tori are more common in men than women and often develop during adulthood.
Buccal Exostoses: Less common than palatal or mandibular tori, buccal exostoses appear on the outer surfaces of the upper or lower jawbones, close to the cheek (buccal) area. Unlike palatal and mandibular tori, which grow inward toward the tongue or palate, buccal exostoses grow outward.
Each type of tori can vary in size, shape, and texture, but they all share the common characteristic of being bony, hard structures that are covered by normal gum tissue.
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