If you slide your tongue around your lower gums or the roof of your mouth and feel odd hard bumps, you may have a torus mandibularis. These bony growths can develop on the inner surface of both the upper and lower jawbone.
Because the bones are covered in gum tissue, these growths resemble fleshy bumps. When surplus bones cause discomfort and prevent you from drinking or eating normally, gentle tori removal from our skilled dentist, Dr. Hanna Mansoor, can alleviate these issues in Gilbert, AZ.
The non-clinical word for one bone is a dental or oral torus, while bones found in groups are called dental or oral tori. Although benign, these bony growths are sometimes mistaken for cancer. They may present as single or multiple bony bumps and can range from the size of a pea to significantly larger.
Tori is thought to be caused mainly by environmental factors, such as bruxism (tooth grinding/clenching), vitamin deficiencies, and calcium-rich supplements, although genetics also play a role.
These are the rarest of tori and occur on the cheek side of teeth in the upper jaw arch. When these lumps become a nuisance, they require removal.
This growth is found in the lower jaw and appears under the tongue. While this less common type impacts an estimated 6% of the population, bumps on both sides of the mouth occur in 60% of this group.
Also called maxillary torus, this mass grows in the center of the upper jaw or palate (roof of the mouth). According to Cleveland Clinic research, it is the most common type of oral torus, impacting an estimated 20% of people in the US.
Although many people don’t experience tori-related problems, they can lead to complications. Potential issues include difficulty with denture placement, throat pain, slurred speech, and discomfort while eating certain foods. In some cases, excess bone growth can also pressure nearby teeth, potentially leading to loosening teeth or gum tissue irritation.
Traditional surgical tori removal is performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia. This technique involves incision of the gum tissue and removal of the bony growth with drills and scalpels. The gum tissue is then sutured back into place.
Bony growths are removed without drilling or scalpels using the laser and a stream of water. This dramatically reduces postoperative pain, swelling, and bleeding while minimizing the need for pain medications, both during and after the procedure.
Dr. Mansoor performs an oral exam and diagnostic imaging, such as digital X-rays, to diagnose mandibular tori. A cone beam computed tomography scan can rule out dental issues that can cause similar symptoms, such as tumors or cysts. We’ll schedule your laser procedure after determining that you’re a good candidate for tori removal at Smiles by Hanna. Using the Biolase® Waterlase® dental laser adds precision and a gentle touch to this procedure, with minimal risks and excellent outcomes.
Traditional surgery requires drills and scalpels, while Waterlase treatment harnesses the power of water and light to gently separate your gum tissue. Your comfort both during and after the process is a priority, so we can use a local anesthetic to numb the area before laser treatment begins. Tori can be removed and ground down, and you won’t feel any heat or vibration from the laser. You’ll experience immediate relief after the removal of Tori in Gilbert, AZ. We’ll provide a complete list of aftercare instructions to ensure a complication-free recovery.
Not every dentist in the Greater Phoenix area fuses technology with exceptional care. When you entrust your mouth to Dr. Mansoor, she strives to make your experience as painless as possible while providing five-star service.
The Smiles by Hanna team is proud to offer mandibular tori removal with the Waterlase laser because providing patient comfort and delivering superb outcomes are part of our mission. Mandibular tori removal can be your mouth’s ticket to freedom. Let us alleviate your mouth pain so you can enjoy the foods you love and resume living life to the fullest!
