Volume Number
Roentgeno-oddities
40 3
429
interruption of normal contour of the inferior border of the mandible was palpable. Removal was recommended, and the patient was referred to the Department of Oral Surgery. Robert E. Buchholz, D.D.S., M.S. Michael Palma, D.D.S. University of Michigan School of Dentistry Ann Arbor, Mich. BILATERAL MULTIPLE MANDIBULAR
T
TORI
he torus palatinus and torus mandibularis are bony protuberances which grow slowly. The torus palatinus grows in the midline of the hard palate, generally as flat-based spindle-shaped or lobular protuberances. The mandibular tori are found on the lingual surface adjacent to the premolar area, over the mylohyoid line. Generally the mandibular tori appear bilaterally as single or multiple protuberances. The most acceptable theory is that the torus palatinus and mandibularis are hereditary. Suzuki showed that where parents had either type of torus, the frequency of occurrence of torus in the children was 63.9 per cent, while the occurrence in children of parents free of torus was only 7.9 per cent. Another theory is that the torus palatinus and mandibularis may grow as a reaction to forces of muscle function. Certain races exhibit a high incidence of tori (for example, American Indians, Eskimos, and Japanese). The outgrowth of the tori does not continue after the third decade, and tori do not change to malignant lesions. The mucosa overlying the torus is thin, blanched, and intact. The case presented here is that of a 72-year-old woman who complained of speech disturbances because of huge bilateral multiple mandibular tori which completely OCcupied the floor of the mouth. Physical examination revealed a healthy woman who appeared to be younger than her stated age. Oral examination showed teeth that were well rehabilitated prosthetically. The floor of the mouth was occupied
430
Roentgeflo-oddities
Oral Septeml~er,
Swg. 1975
completely by huge bilateral multiple mandibular tori covered with thin, intact mucosa. An ocelusal radiograph of the mandible showed eight large separate tori, each having thick cortical bone with spongy bone filling the centers. Under local anesthesia, the lingual plate of the mandible was smoothed with a bur. All tori were above the mylohyoid muscle. Healing was adequate 5 days after the operation, and the patient could speak freely and swallow without difficulty. Dr. B. Azaz The Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine Jerusalem, Israel
Roentgeno-oddities
40 3
429
interruption of normal contour of the inferior border of the mandible was palpable. Removal was recommended, and the patient was referred to the Department of Oral Surgery. Robert E. Buchholz, D.D.S., M.S. Michael Palma, D.D.S. University of Michigan School of Dentistry Ann Arbor, Mich. BILATERAL MULTIPLE MANDIBULAR
T
TORI
he torus palatinus and torus mandibularis are bony protuberances which grow slowly. The torus palatinus grows in the midline of the hard palate, generally as flat-based spindle-shaped or lobular protuberances. The mandibular tori are found on the lingual surface adjacent to the premolar area, over the mylohyoid line. Generally the mandibular tori appear bilaterally as single or multiple protuberances. The most acceptable theory is that the torus palatinus and mandibularis are hereditary. Suzuki showed that where parents had either type of torus, the frequency of occurrence of torus in the children was 63.9 per cent, while the occurrence in children of parents free of torus was only 7.9 per cent. Another theory is that the torus palatinus and mandibularis may grow as a reaction to forces of muscle function. Certain races exhibit a high incidence of tori (for example, American Indians, Eskimos, and Japanese). The outgrowth of the tori does not continue after the third decade, and tori do not change to malignant lesions. The mucosa overlying the torus is thin, blanched, and intact. The case presented here is that of a 72-year-old woman who complained of speech disturbances because of huge bilateral multiple mandibular tori which completely OCcupied the floor of the mouth. Physical examination revealed a healthy woman who appeared to be younger than her stated age. Oral examination showed teeth that were well rehabilitated prosthetically. The floor of the mouth was occupied
430
Roentgeflo-oddities
Oral Septeml~er,
Swg. 1975
completely by huge bilateral multiple mandibular tori covered with thin, intact mucosa. An ocelusal radiograph of the mandible showed eight large separate tori, each having thick cortical bone with spongy bone filling the centers. Under local anesthesia, the lingual plate of the mandible was smoothed with a bur. All tori were above the mylohyoid muscle. Healing was adequate 5 days after the operation, and the patient could speak freely and swallow without difficulty. Dr. B. Azaz The Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine Jerusalem, Israel
