Tori or tori mandibulares represent a subject of increasing interest on the Internet. What are they? What causes them? And do people need to worry about them? This article answers these questions.
Sacramento, CA, July 10, 2017 (Newswire.com) - An increasing number of people have been visiting the website of the Sacramento Dentistry Group to learn more about tori. For the uninitiated, in the dental profession tori does not refer to any actresses, supermodels or other specific persons. The word is the plural from of torus, and a mandibular torus is an uncommon bony growth that protrudes from the jawbone, also called the mandible.
What Causes a Torus?
About five percent of the people in the population have tori, or tori mandibulares in scientific terms. The cause is debatable, but it is generally agreed in the scientific and dental community that genetics are a major factor. While genes may give a torus its start, various oral habits or conditions, such as jaw clenching (bruxism) and TMJ syndrome contribute to tori growth.
Are Tori Harmful?
Since tori are simply bone growths, they are just as much a part of the body as the jaw and other skeletal components. They are not inherently cancerous and thus are no more likely to get cancer than any other part of the body. Upper palate tori can become annoying, especially when eating hot pizza, because they extend the roof of the mouth further into the oral cavity. So caution needs to be exercised with hot foods.
In general, tori are just left in the mouth and seldom removed. If they become unusually large or a grave annoyance, they can be removed with oral surgery. While reports of their return after removal are not unheard of, most removals are permanent. For further answers about tori, contact the Sacramento Dentistry Group at 916-538-6900.
Source: Sacramento Dentistry Group
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