TORUS PALATINUS, TORUS MANDIBULARIS, AND OTHEREXOSTOSES

The term 'exostosis' is used clinically to describe a variety of bony outgrowths. It implies a nonneoplastic lesion that may be of developmental origin or that may have arisen in response to a stimulus such as a chronic trauma (a reactive exostosis) or following surgery, for example after a free gingival graft

A torus is an exostosis which occurs at a characteristic site, either in the midline of the palate (torus palatinus) or on the lingual surface of the mandible, usually in the premolar region above the mylohyoid line (torus mandibularis)

Mandibular tori are frequently bilateral. Palatal tori are more common than mandibular tori. Their aetiology is unknown and the two conditions do not appear to be related except for evidence suggesting hereditary factors, an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance being reported in some patients.

Tori are rarely seen in childhood and have a slow growth. They may vary considerably in size and shape, ranging from flat and small elevations to large, nodular growths. They may be composed entirely of dense, cortical bone or consist of cancellous bone with a shell of cortical bone. The lesions are entirely benign and need to be removed only for cosmetic reasons or before the construction of a denture.

Exostoses are seen occasionally in other parts of the jaw and may be multiple and symmetrical particularly on the buccal alveolous in the molar region of the maxilla

Irregularities of the alveolus following tooth extraction are also often described clinically as exostoses, as is enlargement of the genial tubercle in edentulous patients. The distinction between an exostosis and an osteoma is often difficult to determine.

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