Tori are harmless growths of bone within the mouth; the word torus refers to a single bump, while tori is the plural. Tori are defined as hills of bone growth covered by normal gum tissue. They are considered to be ordinary, completely healthy, and rarely a cause for concern. Tori usually develop symmetrically on both sides of the mouth, but can appear on just one side. The three places in the mouth that are most likely to develop them: on the tongue side of the lower jaw (known as mandibular lingual tori), on the roof of the mouth (maxillary tori), and the cheek side of upper molars (tori palatini).

Why Does Tori Develop?

The development of a torus is usually attributable to genetics. There have been some studies that showed that tori may develop under stress in the jawbone due to clenching or grinding of the teeth. A study showed that the prevalence of mandibular tori was significantly higher in the group of people who grinded their teeth over those who did not grind their teeth.

Can It Be Treated?

Treatment for tori is not generally recommend unless the growth is hindering the placement of a prosthesis or has caused problems in the mouth. Since growths often come with no symptoms or problems, no treatment is needed. Generally, tori do not interfere with daily eating, drinking or speaking. Many people would not even notice them unless pointed out. In the event that tori grow to a point where they become a hindrance or a problem, removal can be done through outpatient surgery. As always, it is recommended to visit your dentist at least twice a year so that any potential issues or problems can be identified and addressed. Your dentist can monitor any growth of tori in your mouth to verify that everything is safe and normal.

Mouth tori are typically normal and non-problematic

Tori are bone growths in your mouth and they are usually harmless. To schedule a consultation with Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX call us at 903-455-5750. We proudly serve patients from Hunt County, Greenville, Royce City, Sulphur Springs, and all surrounding communities.