CASE

A 44-year old, asymptomatic female smoker has been referred to the ENT department for suspected malignancy because of multiple tumors growing on the lingual side of the mandible (Figure 1A). The typical localization and arrangement of a rim of nodular, bony hard protrusion on the lingual side of the mandible covered by normal mucosa lead to the diagnosis of tori (Figure 1B: singular torus marked with black arrow).

Solitary or bilateral exostoses in the premolar area of the lingual surface of the mandible are called mandibular tori. (Figure 1A and B) Tori are benign exostoses (i.e. hyperostosis or hamartomas). They are most common in the mandible affecting in minor forms up to 30% of the population, with variable incidence in different ethnic groups. Mostly harmless, only bigger mandibular tori may pose problems for denture construction, mechanical irritation of the mucosal covering, retention of food debris and even difficulties for oral intubation.