The Relationship between the Development of Torus Mandibularis and Oral Function in a Group of Healthy Dentate Subjects

Objectives: This study was designed to clarify the relationship between the development of torus mandibularis (TM) and oral function in young healthy dentate subjects.
Methods: 204 students were participated in this study. Subjects were interviewed about oral habits such as temporomandibular joint sound, tooth clenching/grinding, and tongue habit. One dentist evaluated the presence of TM and also examined the number of present teeth, buccal mucosa ridging and dental attrition. Furthermore, occlusal vertical dimension, average occlusal pressure and maximum voluntary tongue pressure were measured. These items were compared among the subjects with and without TM using Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results: Buccal mucosa ridging and dental attrition were significantly seen in the subjects with TM. Although occlusal vertical dimension was not different between these two groups, average occlusal pressure was significantly lower and maximum voluntary tongue pressure was higher in the subjects with TM (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that TM development was related to buccal mucosa ridging, average occlusal pressure and maximum voluntary tongue pressure (p<0.05).
Conclusions: This study indicated that TM development related to some oral functions in young healthy dentate subjects.