What Causes Torus Mandibularis? - A Combination of Factors
Table of Contents
- What are Tori?
- Causes of Torus Mandibularis
Torus mandibularis (also called tori bone) are bony growths in the lower mouth. They are most often thought to be caused by genetics, stress in the jaw, teeth misalignment, teeth grinding, or environmental factors.
What are Tori?
Torus or tori is a bone growth in the mouth, usually benign. A torus mandibularis describes a growth like this in the mandible (lower jaw).
Torus growths are uncommon, especially in the lower jaw. These growths affect only approximately 6 percent of the population.
Tori growths in the upper mouth usually occur on the roof of the mouth and are called torus palatinus. Torus palatinus affects approximately 20 percent of the population.
Mandibularis tori is generally considered a benign condition and not a sign of a serious health problem, but they can be uncomfortable and interfere with eating or the application of other appliances, like dentures or retainers. Tori bones can also grow over time and become problematic as they become bigger.
In addition to causing problems eating and speaking, the areas around the growth may become pockets for bacteria like plaque to accumulate in. This can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which are the two most common causes of oral health problems.
Most cases of torus mandibularis won’t require treatment, just special care when performing your dental hygiene routine. In extremely severe cases, the bony growths may be surgically removed.
Causes of Torus Mandibularis
These are the most common contributing factors to torus mandibularis:
Some cases of torus mandibularis are thought to be genetic. This was supported by a 2015 study of twins, which found that the condition was found in both twins in over 95 percent of the cases studied.1
Torus mandibularis is more common in men than in women.2
Environmental factors and diet may cause these benign growths. It’s believed that high-calcium diets and chewing frozen fish or meat (such as in Inuit culture) may promote their development. Vitamin deficiency may also increase the risk, but more research is needed to confirm this theory.
Some studies have indicated that those in northern latitudes may be more likely to experience mandibular torus. Even in ancient findings, these environmental factors seem to have a significant influence.3
Trauma to the gum or mouth is also thought to be related to the growth of tori bone in the mouth. After injury or trauma, a torus may form and then continue to develop.
Teeth grinding (also called bruxism) is also related to bony growths in the mouth, particularly mandibular torus.4 The relationship between the two is not fully understood, but it could be related to jaw stress or the depositing of bone from grinding.
Mechanical stress in the jaw may concentrate in the areas where tori form in the mouth (including the lower mouth and jaw) and relate to their development and growth.5 Mental stress and malocclusion (teeth misalignment) can contribute to tension in the jaw and thus increase the risk of mandibular torus.
Research indicates that those with a square or angular bottom jawbone are more likely to develop bony growths in the area than those with a more rounded mandible.
Although further research is needed to explain the relationship, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ) may also be linked to tori growth in the lower jaw. Mandibular torus may indicate an increased risk of TMJ and be used in its diagnosis.
Torus Mandibularis Frequently Asked Questions
The causes of mandibular tori are not fully understood, although environmental factors and diet are generally thought to be factors in developing these growths. Jaw stress is also related to tori growth, and emotional stress can be a contributor to jaw stress.
If you have a bony growth in your lower mouth, let your dentist know. Mandibular tori generally doesn’t cause problems or need treatment, but they may be an indicator of bruxism or TMJ.
If the growths develop in size, they may cause problems eating or affect oral hygiene, increasing the risk of serious oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Keep up with regular dental appointments to monitor their size and any complications.
In rare cases, the growths will have to be surgically removed. Mandibular torus may have to be removed if they fit these criteria:
Large enough to cause friction and irritation on top of the mouth
In the way of getting braces or another dental appliance
Becoming inflamed or irritated regularly
Causing other oral health problems or interfering with daily activities
Most cases of mandibular tori don’t cause pain or complications. If the growths are larger in size, they can cause difficulties eating. They can also be painful if scraped. If the tori is scraped, be sure to keep the area clean and monitor for any signs of infection. If there’s any pus, or if you’re experiencing pain or a fever, seek immediate medical care.