Have you ever noticed or been told you have a bony growth by the dentist? (Torus mandibularis) refers to a bony growth on the floor of your mouth, under your tongue. These growths, also called dental tori are harmless and typically don’t cause pain. Tori affects about 27 out of every 1,000 adults, though it’s not as well-known as other oral health conditions. Dental tori is caused mainly by environmental factors, such as bruxism, vitamin deficiencies and calcium-rich supplements, although genetic background also plays a key role.
Clinical diagnosis is usually straightforward, and investigations are generally not required. In most cases, the presence of tori is completely harmless. For the presence of a small tori that does not cause pain or obstruct dental prosthetics, most dentists will recommend not removing and simply keeping a watchful eye on it. Unfortunately, tori do not shrink over time. They will grow to a certain point, and then stop growing. There are cases where you may be advised to see a surgeon for the removal of these bony growths. The removal of a tori may be necessary if they cause pain or interfere with the function or quality of life. In most cases, they are removed to help improve the fit of a denture or partial.