Abstract:
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and shape of torus palatinus and to assess its gender and
age-related differences in the population of Karachi, the metropolitan city of Pakistan.
Methodology: This was a cross sectional study with non-probability convenience sampling method conducted at Bahria
University Medical & Dental College (BUMDC), Karachi. The presence of tori was observed by clinical examination and
palpation. The shape was also investigated by presence or absence and classified as flat, spindle and nodular shaped tori.
The data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. The Chi-square test was used to test
for group differences of sex and age association with the prevalence of tori. Difference between groups with P <0.05 was
considered significant.
Results: A total of 1203 patients were screened in which torus palatinus was found in 141 (11.7%) patients. Present study
findings showed torus palatinus was more prevalent in males 76 (53.9%). It was dominant in 31-60 years of age group
(47.5%) with significant P=0.000. Shapes of torus palatinus were compared with gender in which flat shape was more
frequent in both male and female with significant P-value of 0.015.
Conclusion: Torus Palatinus is a rare bony exostosis of the oral cavity. Even though, it is an asymptomatic anatomical
variation it expresses itself in unique shapes and patterns. The prevalence varies with respect to age and gender.
