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What are Tori and Exostoses?

12/22/2016

4 Comments

 
PictureIn hard palate.
In about five percent of patients, bony growths are found that are normal variants.  An exostosis is a thickening of bone around the teeth.  A torus (plural tori) is a larger area of bone, and can appear in two forms:
​
- Found on the middle of the hard palate (first picture)

PictureOn the gums, by tongue
- Or, on the gums adjacent to the tongue. (second picture)


​These bony growths appear to have a genetic link, but environmental situations tend to make them larger.  Bruxism (tooth grinding) and ice chewing especially seem to make them worse.

Exostoses, the growths directly adjacent to the teeth, can make it more difficult to keep the teeth clean, since the bone’s overgrowth makes it more difficult to position a toothbrush and floss properly around the teeth for good home care.

Tori are generally not a problem, except when a removable prosthesis, such as a partial denture or complete denture has to be fabricated.  Tori can cause these problems with a prosthesis:
​
  • Tori have very thin gingiva over them, and movement of a prosthesis can rub sore spots.
  • The position of the bone gets in the way of the prosthesis.
  • A palatal torus keeps a complete denture from accomplishing a tight suction.

For these reasons, it is especially important for patients that have tori to keep their teeth and gums in excellent shape.  Many people have had tori most of their life with no problem, and just assumed everyone had the same thing!

In cases where tori or exostoses are in the way for a prosthesis, a minor surgical procedure is used to remove them so that the complete denture or partial denture can be fabricated without problems.  Mandibular tori and exostoses can be removed by most general dentists, while a palatal torus is often referred to an oral surgeon when a complete denture is needed.

It is also possible to have a bony growth that doesn’t belong there.  Cancers called osteomas and sarcomas can form cause unusual bone growth in the mouth.  In virtually all cases, these growths lack symmetry, growing on just one side of the mouth or notably large on one side than the other.
4 Comments
CharleneBerrie
2/2/2018 12:49:12 pm

Has anyone ever gotten rid of tori except bysurgery? Say autophagy?

Reply
Dudley link
8/31/2018 11:51:11 pm

Good day, I've got something like this, but it started in the top linning between my teeth and just under my nose. It is only sore when I talk or smile. It is on ether side of my 2 big front teeth. And now it have spread down into my top lip, just down the middle. Do you know if it's the same thing? Or what it is ?

Reply
Lisa Smith
12/29/2018 07:17:51 pm

Hi I have this it has changed over a long period of time what do you think Dr Moorehead . I have pictures of it please advise

Reply
Rowena Mcneil
5/18/2020 02:24:02 pm

I have this in my upper jaw in the middle and it hurt sometimes is this thing not dangerous

Reply



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  • ABOUT US
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    • Same Day Services
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    • Invisalign >
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      • Botox Before and After Photos
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      • Advanced Denture Technique
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    • Dental Resource Library
  • Special Offers
    • Special Offers
    • Dental Value Plan
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    • Financial >
      • Dental Value Plan
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      • Online Payments
      • Dental Financing >
        • Patient Financing
        • CareCredit
        • Prosper
    • Anti-Discrimination Notice
    • Privacy Practices
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  • FOR DENTISTS
    • Dr. Moorhead Speaker Website
    • IV Sedation Training
  • Contact
    • Contact our Office
    • Join Our Team
    • Hours and Directions