Mandibular torus is a bony growth on the lower jaw that can cause discomfort and difficulty in chewing or swallowing. It is more common in people with teeth grinding or jaw alignment issues. Surgery can remove the growth, but it may recur. Regular checkups are recommended.
The mandibular torus is a bony growth, usually nodular, along the lower jaw. These growths appear inside the bone, just below the teeth, and often develop in pairs on either side of the mouth. Most bulls are benign, but occasionally they can cause problems that require more active treatment. A dentist or oral surgeon can conduct an evaluation to determine if a patient’s particular case needs special attention.
The causes of these growths are not well understood. Local stress appears to be a factor, as this condition is more common in people who grind their teeth or have problems with the alignment of their teeth and jaws. They grow slowly over time and can appear very early in childhood in some cases or later in life, sometimes after a period of stress. If removed, the growth can recur, showing that it is the result of an ongoing process in the mouth rather than a one-time bone development error.
Dimensions can vary radically. Sometimes a mandibular torus is a relatively small bump, while in other cases the growths are large enough to touch each other. Patients with larger growths may experience discomfort because it can be difficult to chew or swallow. Small growths are extremely common, particularly in men, and are not usually a cause for concern unless they start growing very rapidly or the patient notices changes in the color or texture of the growth.
In some patients it can be difficult to insert a prosthesis with a mandibular bull. Others can develop ulcerations in the tissue above the growth that can lead to infection and oral pain. Concerns about airway management may also arise in some cases, as the growths could make it difficult to control a patient’s airway in an emergency. These situations may require treatment.
Surgery can be used to remove a mandibular torus and smooth out the bone. This is sometimes effective, although in other cases the growth can reappear, taking months or years to regain its previous size. After surgery, patients may be advised to have regular checkups to monitor the site so they can determine if the growth will return. This history of torus mandibularis can also be noted in a patient’s medical record so that prospective dental health care providers are aware of the problem and know how to control it when evaluating the patient.
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