Torus palatinus and torus Mandibularis in a Nigerian population

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence, size, clinical characteristics, and location of torus palatinus (TP) and torus mandibularis (TM) in relation to age, sex and social stratification in a Nigerian population. Methods: One thousand three hundred and ninety two subjects were examined for the presence of both tori at the Out patient clinic of the Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, School of Dentistry University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. Results: Out of the 1,392 subjects examined, 52 (3.7%) had either Torus Palatinus (TP), Torus Mandibularis (TM) or both. The prevalence of TP and TM in the subjects were 1.8% and 2.5%, respectively. TP was significantly more common in females than in males (1.2% versus 0.6%). TP were frequently found in medium and small sizes and majority were solitary type. The prevalence of TM was higher in females than in males (1.9% versus 0.6%). TM occurred most commonly in small size, bilateral multiple forms, and was often located at the canine to premolar area. Females have both tori occurring concurrently more than male (Ratio 2 to 1). Most subjects with tori fall into class II social stratification, 51.9% compare with 21.1% and 23.0% as seen in Classes I and III respectively, 4.0% of subjects were unclassified. Conclusions: The prevalence of both tori in this Nigerian population was comparable to the Black Americans and other African populations.

Key words: Torus mandibularis; torus palatinus; prevalence; social stratification