Epidemiological aspects of oral tori in a Ghanaian community.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of oral tori, commonly found among Ghanaians, and compare with that in other regions.


METHODS
Dental examination records of all 926 patients seen from January 1998 to April 2000 in a dental outpatient clinic in Accra, Ghana, were studied. The existence of a torus had systematically and routinely been ascertained by visual inspection and palpation.


RESULTS
Frequency distribution and cross-tabulation analysis showed an overall prevalence of 14.6% with a female: male ratio of 1.1: 1. The most prevalent variety was the bilateral mandibular torus (12.1%) and the midpalatal torus of the maxillary tori (4.3 %). Females had 2.2 times the probability of having midpalatal torus compared to men (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.2; Confidence Interval: 1.05, 4.70). There was a very strong concurrent relationship between mandibular and maxillary tori (OR = 16; CI = 7.8, 32.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Comparisons indicated a strong similarity between torus prevalence in Ghana and the Caribbean regions. This should help in further discussions on the epidemiology of this bony anomaly.
Bruce
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Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, University of Ghana Dental School, Accra. ishbru44@yahoo.com
Ndanu
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Addo
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005096:Exostoses / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors