Your dentist was looking in your mouth and noticed something — a hard, smooth lump on the roof of your mouth or along the inside of your jaw. They called it a torus. You want to know what it is and whether it is anything to worry about.
A torus (plural: tori) is a benign bony growth. It is made of dense, hard bone that has developed slightly in the wrong shape. They are very common and completely harmless. You might have one right now and never have noticed.
What does it look and feel like?
A torus on the roof of your mouth — called a torus palatinus — feels like a firm, rounded lump. It can be small and barely noticeable, or large enough to cover a significant part of your palate. It is usually the same colour as the rest of your mouth.
A torus along the inside of your lower jaw — called a torus mandibularis — is typically found near your premolars, on the tongue side of your jaw. It can appear on one side or both. Again, it feels hard and smooth.
These growths are not painful. You may only become aware of them when your tongue or food brushes against them.
Why do they form?
The exact cause is not always clear. Genetics seems to play a role — if a parent has a torus, you are more likely to have one too. They tend to develop slowly over time, often becoming more noticeable in adulthood.
They are not caused by infection, diet, or anything you did. And they are definitely not a sign of anything serious.
Do they need to be removed?
Most of the time, a torus does not need any treatment at all. It stays stable and causes no problems.
Removal is only considered if the torus gets in the way of wearing a denture, if it keeps being rubbed by food and becomes sore, or if your dentist needs access to that area for dental work. Removal is a minor procedure, usually done under local anaesthetic.
Your dentist will monitor your torus at regular check-ups to make sure it is not changing. If it suddenly grows quickly, becomes painful, or looks different, that is worth getting checked — but this is rare.
If you have a torus and it has not been causing problems, there is nothing to worry about. Just let your dentist know if anything changes.
Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com
Meads Village Dental Practice