What Are Oral Tori (Bony Growths) and Where Do They Form?
An oral torus is a lump of bone, or a bony outgrowth, that grows slowly beneath the gums inside the mouth. Tori have no defined shape and may appear as a single lump or as a cluster of several. They can occur in people of any age or gender, but are more common in adults than children. Tori are most often found in the middle of the roof of the mouth, on the sides of the lower and upper jaw, or along the gum ridge next to the tongue.
Tori may be caused by several factors, including genetics, ethnicity, or certain habits that lead the body to form bone in the wrong place. Habits that may trigger the growth of tori include:
- Orthodontic treatment – may stimulate new bone formation in the jaw, increasing the risk of tori forming.
- Heavy chewing force – people who chew forcefully may wear their teeth down and shorten them, which can later lead to bony ridges.
- Teeth grinding at night – people who grind or clench their teeth while sleeping often develop tori along the gum ridge.
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How to Check for Tori
You can check for tori yourself. Simply run your tongue around your mouth, from the upper jaw down to the lower jaw, along the backs of your teeth and the outer gum ridge. If you feel a hard, raised lump anywhere, that’s likely a torus. You can also look in a mirror and feel with your finger for any hard lumps.
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Who Should Have Torus Removal?
- People who frequently get food trapped around the torus, making it hard to clean. This can become a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to oral disease.
- People whose gum tissue covering the torus develops sores or chronic wounds from repeated contact, such as brushing or chewing.
- People who need dental appliances, such as braces or dentures.
- People whose tori are large enough to interfere with chewing and make daily life difficult, as well as those with tori on the front gum ridge that affect their confidence when smiling.
If a torus is small or doesn’t interfere with daily life, surgical removal isn’t necessary. This depends on your dentist’s assessment.
The Torus Removal Procedure
Aftercare Following Torus Removal
- After surgery, bite down on gauze over the wound for 1–2 hours. Avoid spitting out blood or saliva, as this can slow down clotting.
- Take antibiotics and pain relief as prescribed by your dentist. Be sure to finish the full course of antibiotics to help prevent antibiotic resistance.
- Eat soft foods for the first week to reduce pain and irritation in the mouth.
- You can gently wipe the wound with gauze soaked in saline solution to remove food debris.
- Avoid sucking on or touching the wound, as this can cause renewed bleeding and lead to infection.
- If you wear a removable dental appliance, take it out and clean it with soapy water, then put it back in after cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tori dangerous?
Most tori are painless and harmless. They are not tumours or cancer. However, they can interfere with chewing, trap bacteria, or get in the way of certain dental appliances. In these cases, your dentist may recommend surgical removal. Small tori usually don’t need to be removed.
How long does torus removal take, and does it hurt?
Torus removal is a minor surgical procedure that usually takes about 30–50 minutes, depending on the condition and location of the torus. Discomfort is similar to wisdom tooth removal.
Can tori go away on their own?
Tori are bony growths in the mouth. They won’t disappear on their own, but they do stop growing at a certain point. If you’d like one removed, please consult your dentist.