Prevalence and anatomic topography of mandibular tori: computed tomographic analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Mandibular tori are located above the mylohyoid ridge. These features are relatively common in most populations, but their prevalence varies with race. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and features of mandibular tori in a Korean population using computed tomographic (CT) images.


METHODS
The CT images of 726 patients were analyzed in this study. The presence or absence of a mandibular torus was identified on the CT images of each patient's quadrants and categorized according to gender and age. The most common location was also evaluated according to the corresponding teeth. The cortical thickness of each torus was evaluated using a 3-dimensional reconstruction software program.


RESULTS
The prevalence of mandibular tori in the entire sample was 24.1%, and most cases were bilateral. Mandibular tori were observed more frequently in young adults, with the prevalence being inversely related to age. The most frequently observed location was the premolar region, and the mean cortical thickness was 6.9 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
Mandibular tori seem to change with aging. The prevalence in the present sample composed of Koreans was 24.1%, and younger patients may be more likely to develop a mandibular torus. Most tori presented a medium size bilaterally in the lingual aspect of the premolar region, and all were composed of cortical bone.
Department of Periodontology, Research Institute for Periodontal Regeneration, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Youna
Y
Choi
Hyok
H
Park
Jung-Seok
JS
Lee
Jung-Chul
JC
Park
Chang-Sung
CS
Kim
Seong-Ho
SH
Choi
Kyoo-Sung
KS
Cho
Jung-Kiu
JK
Chai
Ui-Won
UW
Jung
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D015576:Hyperostosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult