Torus (Palatinus or Mandibularis)

A Torus (Palatinus or Mandibularis) is a benign bony lump that develops on the roof of the mouth (torus palatinus) or along the inner surface of the lower jaw near the premolars (torus mandibularis). These growths are composed of compact bone, typically emerge gradually during adulthood, and vary in size from small nodules to larger ridges; they are non-cancerous and often discovered incidentally during routine dental exams.

Most people with a torus have no symptoms and do not need treatment, but larger tori can affect chewing, denture fit, oral hygiene and the placement of dental appliances or implants. A dental professional can diagnose a torus by clinical examination and imaging, and management ranges from simple observation to surgical removal if the growth causes pain, recurrent trauma to the overlying tissue, or interferes with dental care.