Mandibular tori are common, harmless bony growths found on the lower jaw. They typically pose no health risk.
What Are Mandibular Tori?
Mandibular tori are bony outgrowths appearing on the inner side of the lower jaw, often near the tongue and premolar teeth. They can be single or multiple, varying in size from small nodules to larger growths. While dental tori can also occur on the roof of the mouth (palatal tori), mandibular tori specifically refer to those on the lower jaw.
These growths are composed of dense bone tissue. While their exact cause is not fully understood, several factors contribute to their development. Genetics play a role, as individuals with a family history are more likely to develop them. Bruxism, or habitual teeth grinding and clenching, is also a factor, as jawbone pressure can stimulate bone growth. Other factors include mouth anatomy, bone density, and certain dietary factors; these growths are benign.
Do Mandibular Tori Shrink?
Mandibular tori are composed of dense bone and are permanent structures. These bony growths do not shrink naturally or disappear on their own. Their size can fluctuate slightly, potentially increasing due to factors like changes in chewing habits or prolonged teeth grinding.
While some minor size changes might occur, this does not indicate the tori are shrinking or will resolve without intervention. As solid bone, they maintain their structure. Therefore, a significant reduction in size or complete disappearance is not an expected natural occurrence.
When Tori Require Attention
While mandibular tori are harmless, they can cause issues that warrant professional attention. A common concern arises when these growths interfere with the fabrication or fit of dentures or other dental appliances. Large tori can make it challenging to achieve a comfortable and stable fit for these prosthetics.
Tori can also lead to discomfort or pain, especially if frequently irritated by chewing, speaking, or accidental trauma from food or oral hygiene tools. The tissue covering the bony growths can become inflamed or ulcerated if repeatedly scraped. Additionally, very large tori can hinder the tongue’s movement, affecting speech or making it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene, leading to food trapping or plaque buildup around the growths.
Managing Mandibular Tori
Most mandibular tori do not require treatment; observation is the standard approach for asymptomatic cases. When tori cause problems, however, surgical removal is the primary method of management. This procedure, often performed by an oral surgeon, involves reducing the excess bone.
Reasons for surgical intervention include interference with denture placement, chronic irritation, difficulty with oral hygiene, or issues affecting eating or speech. The procedure is an outpatient surgery. Patients can expect some post-operative swelling and discomfort, and a period of soft food consumption is recommended during healing. While surgery effectively removes the problematic bone, tori can regrow if contributing factors, such as continued teeth grinding, persist.