Believe it or not, clenching and grinding can actually change the shape of your bone. Though not particularly common, some people with bruxism develop bony growths on the inside of their lower jaw, under the tongue. These growths are called
Torus mandibularis is thought to be caused mainly by environmental factors, such as bruxism, vitamin deficiencies and calcium-rich supplements, although genetic background also plays a key role.
Tori may develop due to genetic or environmental influences such as local irritation, grinding your teeth (bruxism), or misaligned teeth causing an uneven bite (malocclusion). In most cases tori are benign and do not require treatment.
Because mandibular tori are bone growths, you cannot get rid of them without surgical treatment from your dentist.
Stress in the jaw bone and bruxism are other factors. This condition is more common in early adult life, and consequently, it is believed that mandibular tori are the result of local stresses and not solely on genetic influences.
Surgery for tori reduction
In mandibular tori reduction surgery, the surgeon exposes the bone by making a small incision in the gums overlying the tori, and gently shaves the bone to remove it. Once the surgeon confirms that the bone contour is smooth and the tori have been removed, the gums are stitched back together.
Tori are simply an abnormality; a random bone growth. They do not pose any immediate threat or harm once they have been identified in the mouth, though they do continue to grow over time, and have the potential to cause pain or discomfort if they become too large.
Do tori ever shrink? Unfortunately, tori do not shrink over time. They will grow to a certain point, and then stop growing. A surgical team will need to remove them if your dentist deems it necessary.
Traditional surgical mandibular tori removal requires general anesthesia, with traditional surgical techniques to remove the growth. Waterlase tori removal uses a laser and a stream of water to remove the bony growths without drilling.
TP forms along the midline of the hard palate, whereas TMs form along the lingual aspect of the mandible and is usually bilateral. Tori typically develop during late adolescence and gradually increase in size throughout adulthood.
Mandibular tori are usually present on the tongue side of the jaw near the bicuspids ( also known as premolars). They usually – 90% of the time – occur on both sides of the mouth (bilaterally). Mandibular tori are not particularly common – about 5 – 10% of the population will have noticeable mandibular tori.
Torus palatinus is a harmless, painless bony growth located on the roof of the mouth (the hard palate). The mass appears in the middle of the hard palate and can vary in size and shape. About 20 to 30 percent of the population has torus palatinus. It occurs most frequently in women and those of Asian descent.
Tori are considered normal and harmless. Phew! Tori may, however, get in the way of dentures or orthodontics in some cases. Or they may grow to a point and touch in the middle of the mouth.
Genetics: A 2015 study of twins suggests a strong genetic link for bony outgrowths in the mouth, even in those who have other risk factors. Tooth grinding: People who grind their teeth may be more likely to experience these bony growths. Bone mineral density: Changes in bone mineral density may cause a torus palatinus.
Due to laser technology, tori dental removal can be virtually pain-free.
I was given an I.V. for the 1.5-hour procedure on a Thursday. Before I knew it, I was coming out of the anesthesia, and they were helping me up. My mouth was packed with gauze. I wasn't feeling much pain at the time.
The prevalence of mandibular tori ranges from 5-40%. It is less common than bony growths occurring on the palate, known as torus palatinus. Mandibular tori are more common in Asian and Inuit populations, and slightly more common in males. In the United States, the prevalence is 7-10% of the population.
TMJ and Your Teeth
Movement of the jaw affects how the teeth contact one another when the mouth closes. The overall relationship between the teeth, muscles, and joints can be altered. The heavy forces on the teeth have been associated with the presence of mandibular tori (bony bumps under the tongue) in TMJ patients.
Bone Spur After Tooth Extraction
The body might spontaneously regenerate bone on top of existing bone during the healing process after a tooth extraction, even where it is not needed. Alternatively, it may even reject a fragment of bone and cause it to protrude out of your gums.
Torus palatinus were found in 69.7% of women from all ethnic groups (P = 0.107). Slightly higher percentage was seen in the Hispanics, then the African Americans, with the least in the Caucasians.
Abstract. Torus palatinus (TP) represents a benign anatomic variation. It has been suggested that genetic factors play a leading role in its occurrence.
Exostoses are benign protuberances of bone that may arise on the cortical surface of the jaws (eFigure 2-16). A torus (plural: tori) is an exostosis that occurs in one of two locations intraorally.
The existence of torus mandibularis is not all too common — it's estimated that 12 to 25% of the adult population has these bony overgrowths in the lower jaw. People who have this tori mandibularis usually have two, but they can exist on their own.
Torus palatinus and torus mandibularis are common exostoses of the mouth, ie, localized benign bony overgrowths arising from cortical bone. They are occasionally found incidentally during routine examination of the oral cavity. Patients should be reassured about the nonpathologic nature of this condition.
As this extra bone grows, it becomes visible – an exostosis. The speed at which tori grow is slow, and they usually don't cause any problems until they become large. But they do continue to grow over time.