Methods and Materials
Study Population and Clinical Examination
The study was conducted in the Prosthodontics
Clinic in the Department of Restorative Dentistry
of Jordan University of Science and Technology in
Irbid, Jordan. Prior to the commencement of the
study, criteria for the diagnosis and classification
of tori were agreed between the two examiners.
The existence of tori had systematically and
routinely been ascertained by visual inspection
and palpation. An examination protocol was
developed for recording lesions that included site
and clinical characteristics. The protocol was
piloted and finalized.Three hundred and thirty eight edentulous
patients (150 males and 188 females)
who attended the Prosthodontics Clinic for
constructing new complete dentures were
enrolled in this study (age range 30-90 years)
after obtaining a full medical history. All
designated features of tori were recorded.
The following criteria were used to classify
different shapes of tori:
1. Flat Torus: Occurring as a slightly convex
protuberance with a smooth surface for mandibular tori. The same applies for
palatal tori but extending symmetrically on
both side of the palate.
2. Lobular Torus: Present as a pedunculated
or sessile lobular mass that can arise from
a single base. This applies for tori in both
locations.
3. Nodular Torus: Occurring as a multiple
protuberance each with individual bases;
these may coalesce forming grooves
between them. This applies for tori in both
locations.
4. Spindle Torus: Present along the midline
ridge along the palatal raphe area for
palatal tori and elongated tori bilaterally in
the mandible for mandibular tori.