11/18/2025
Mandibular Tori:
Clinical Features
Hard, smooth, bony lumps covered by normal mucosa.
Usually bilateral (on both sides), though they can be one-sided.
Generally painless, unless ulcerated or traumatized.
Detected incidentally during dental exams.
Mandibular tori (singular: torus mandibularis) are bony growths that develop on the inner surface of the lower jaw (mandible) - typically along the side nearest the tongue, near the premolars.
They are benign (non-cancerous) and usually harmless, though they can sometimes cause issues with fitting dentures, oral hygiene, or be irritated by trauma.
• Causes and Contributing
Factors
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but several factors are thought to contribute:
1. Genetic predisposition
• Mandibular tori often run in families, suggesting a hereditary component.
2. Environmental and functional factors
Chronic jaw clenching or teeth grinding (bruxism) can increase bone growth in response to mechanical stress.
Heavy chewing or diets rich in hard or fibrous foods may also play a role.
3. Developmental factors
• Some people naturally develop thicker jawbones or bony prominences during growth.
4. Other contributing factors
Minor trauma or repeated stress in the area.
Sometimes associated with other bony exostoses, like palatal tori (on the roof of the mouth).
* Treatment
No treatment is needed unless:
They interfere with denture placement or oral appliances.
They become frequently ulcerated or painful.
They cause aesthetic or functional concerns.
If needed, surgical removal (tori reduction) can be performed by an oral surgeon.
