Is torus palatinus a feature of a well-developed maxilla?
Torus palatinus (TP) is an exostosis of the hard palate. The biologic significance of TP is unknown. Our hypothesis was that the presence of a TP reflects the development of the maxilla. It has been proven that tooth agenesis is associated with small maxillary size. We investigated whether there is a relationship between maxillary third molar agenesis and the presence or absence of TP. The study was carried out on 253 Turkish patients. It showed a lower prevalence of third molar agenesis in female subjects with TP (P < 0.001). This study provides indirect evidence that development of the maxilla may be greater in female subjects with TP.
Cagirankaya
Leyla Berna
LB
Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. lbartvinli@yahoo.com
Kansu
Ozden
O
Hatipoglu
Müjgan Güngör
MG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000002:abnormalities*; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014421:Turkey