In this article
Torus mandibularis is the growth of bone at the bottom of the mouth. It affects lots of people and for the vast majority of dental tori patients, it is harmless and painless.
Still, if you are concerned about torus mandibularis, you can opt for simple dental surgery to remove the bone from your mouth.
Here, we explain everything you need to know about torus mandibularis and run through the treatment options available to you if it affects your quality of life.
What is torus mandibularis?
Referred to commonly as dental tori, torus mandibularis is a bony growth underneath your tongue on the floor of your mouth.
For the vast majority of people, dental tori is completely harmless and painless. It does not lead to cancer or any other significant problems and if it doesn't affect your eating, chewing, or speech, you don't necessarily need to take action.
Though they most commonly form on the floor of your mouth underneath your tongue, you may also experience dental tori on the sides of your mouth. If they form on the top of your mouth, they are known as palatal tori as they take shape on your palate.
What causes torus mandibularis?
There are numerous torus mandibularis causes and although it's not common, it affects approximately 27 out of 1,000 people in the US.
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24830-mandibular-tori
Many people are born with these bony growths underneath their tongues, while other people develop them later in life.
Dentists aren't 100% sure what causes dental tori, but it could be a result of any of the following factors:
-
Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism)
-
The anatomy of your mouth and jaw shape
-
The density of your bones
-
A vitamin deficiency
-
Genetics
In most cases, dental tori is nothing to worry about, but it can lead to the following issues:
How it can affect you
❌ Issues related to chewing, swallowing, or eating food in general.
❌ Problems closing your mouth fully.
❌ Poor dental hygiene, as it can be difficult to brush and floss correctly.
❌ Pain or discomfort if the dental tori grow large.
❌ Speech issues such as lisps or issues pronouncing specific words.
It's important to note that most people who have dental tori don't experience any symptoms or side effects. As a result, you can often leave it without any treatment. But if you experience any of the issues above, it's a good idea to consult your dentist for the best course of treatment.
Can torus mandibularis go away by itself?
Unfortunately, dental tori cannot go away by itself. If you have torus mandibularis in your mouth and it is causing issues for your speaking or eating, you will need to get it surgically removed, as explained below.
Torus mandibularis removal procedure
Your dentist will only recommend the removal of torus mandibularis if it impacts the quality of your life. Dental tori need to be removed surgically, which typically involves the following steps:
-
Step 1 is a visit to your dentist to report the problem and to find out more about the procedure.
-
The dentist will then set out a plan for your treatment, which will begin with a local anesthesia to numb your gums. You may also be offered a sedative to keep you calm throughout the procedure.
-
Next, the dentist will cut into your gums to access the tori directly. They will then remove the dental tori and any other bone in the area.
-
Finally, the wound will be closed with stitches.
For the vast majority of patients, dental tori removal is a quick and pain-free dental procedure that doesn't result in complications. Where complications do occur, the your oral surgeon will suggest the best course of action.
If the site becomes infected, it can usually be treated with a course of antibiotics, and you should recover fully from the procedure within a few weeks.
Torus mandibularis removal cost
It's difficult to predict the cost of removing torus mandibularis, as there are lots of factors that can affect the price. The size of the dental tori and the cost of tooth removal in your area are the biggest two factors, but you can expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $2,000 for the procedure.
We advise you to contact numerous dentists in your area for quotations before preceding with the treatment. Also, check your insurance policy to see if the treatment is covered and ask your dentist for more information.
The bottom line
Dental tori - torus mandibularis - affects some adults and it's not necessarily something to be concerned about. You only need to seek treatment if the bone growth affects your quality of life and impacts your eating habits or speech.
Though it can be quite expensive to remove dental tori, it's a relatively simple procedure that doesn't cause pain or discomfort. So, if dental tori is causing you an issue, consider getting them removed. You can also read our FAQs below for more information.
FAQ
Q1: Is torus mandibularis cancer?
No, dental tori is not cancerous.
Q2: Is torus mandibularis painful?
For most people who have dental tori, it is not painful. However, if it impacts your quality of life, you can ask your dentist to remove the bone via simple surgery.
Q3: Can you remove torus mandiubularis at home?
No, you cannot. You must get dental tori removed by a professional dentist to avoid any complications or issues.
